Scouts give back with “Great Shoe Shuffle”

by orionontv | Nov 15, 2022 | Scouting

Brandon Kathman
Sr. District Executive
[email protected]
947-886-5736

Scouts give back with “Great Shoe Shuffle”

Cub Scouts in the Farmington area have collected over 600 pairs of used shoes to support those in
need as part of a drive that will end with a charity run on Nov. 19.
According to the shoe drive’s coordinator, Rachael Ayotte, Scouts have been collecting footwear
since October. Local Pack 45, Pack 179, Pack 226, Pack 231, Pack 263, Pack 362 and Pack 389
all participated in the endeavor.
“This was a great opportunity for our local packs to work with each other and collaborate with
Farmington Public Schools,” Ayotte said. “I know that this success will lead to further
opportunities to bring Scouting to kids in the Farmington area.”
The Cub Scout Packs placed a shoe collection box at each of the nine Farmington Public Schools
elementary buildings. Scouts decorated the boxes and made announcements at school, calling for
donations of new or gently used shoes. The shoes were then collected, sorted and organized by
the Cub Scouts.
On Nov. 9, the Scouts invited those in need to the Maxfield Education Center for a pop-up shop,
where the full selection was available at no cost. Ayotte estimated that about 300 pairs were
“shuffled” to new owners locally. The Scouts delivered the remaining pairs to Soles 4 Souls and
Foster Closet. Any shoes not suitable for reuse were recycled.
“This event allowed Cub Scouts and their families to live out many tenets of the Scout Law,”
Ayotte said. “A Scout is thrifty – keep good shoes out of the landfill.”
The Scouts will gather one more time on Nov. 19 for a run to benefit Soles 4 Souls at East Middle
School, as an anonymous patron has pledged to donate funds for each lap they complete around
the track.
“This is what we love to see our Scouts doing for their communities,” Bob DeWar, a field director
with Scouting’s Michigan Crossroads Council, said. “Instilling a spirit of cheerful service in
young people is at the foundation of our mission.”

Lincoln Genslak, Clark Oliver, Sawyer Genslak, Rachael Ayotte, Ellis Mahoney and Henry Bristow

Eddie Carson, Clay Carson, Benjamin Mortlock and Sam Mortlock

Over 600 pairs of shoes wait to be claimed by new owners

Oxford volunteer named “Scoutmaster of the Year”

by orionontv | Jun 6, 2022 | Scouting

Brandon Kathman                                                                                          For Immediate Release:

District Executive                                                                                                                6/3/2022

(947) 886-5736

Oxford volunteer named “Scoutmaster of the Year”

Scouting’s local Pontiac-Manito District has named Blake Streeter of Oxford Troop 366 “Scoutmaster of the Year” in recognition of dedication to the youth of his unit.

Representatives from the district, which spans much of Oakland County, attended Troop 366’s Court of Honor at LakePoint Community Church on June 1 to present Streeter with the award. According to the district, this was so Streeter could celebrate with the families he has served for almost a decade.

“It was a great honor,” Streeter said. “I didn’t even know I had been nominated.”

For nine years, Streeter has worked with the young people of the troop, including his four sons. As Scoutmaster, he has empowered the youth leadership to succeed during weekly meetings and nearly a dozen campouts each year. Beyond weekend trips, Streeter has twice accompanied the troop to the National High Adventure Sea base in the Florida Keys, where the youth crewed and slept aboard a tall ship.

Other adventures have included a white water rafting excursion in Pennsylvania and a journey to Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula. Under his guidance, Troop 366 has become the largest Scouting unit serving middle and high school aged youth in Oxford.

“I hope the kids learned everything related to the Scout Law, being involved in the community and becoming better citizens,” Streeter said. “I hope they learned from all the merit badges and perhaps found something that peaks their interest for what they might want to do.”

For Streeter, watching youth attain the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest honor, has been among the most rewarding privileges of a scoutmaster. In April, he witnessed his own son, Dakota, receive the award.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Streeter said of his experience in Scouting.

Those interested in learning more about Scouting in Oxford should visit beascout.org or contact the district office at (947) 886-5736.