$5.8 million raised to support local Scouting programs
OTTAWA, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - As Scouts deliver popcorn to thousands of households from coast to coast to coast, Scouts Canada celebrates another hugely successful year of its national fundraiser. In the 18th official year of the Scout Popcorn program, youth sold $9.5 million worth of kernels, generating $5.8 million to support local Scouting.
Highlights from the 2013 campaign include:
- For the second year in a row, Samantha Harvey of St. Paul, Alberta was the top seller, selling $18,000 worth of Scout Popcorn. Visit Scoutpopcorn.ca to see the complete list of top sellers from across the country.
- $134,000 worth of Scout Popcorn was purchased to support Canadian Forces bases across Canada. In January, thousands of containers of Scout Popcorn will be delivered to men and women in uniform, their families and veterans' organizations.
- Youth that sell more than $2,500 are eligible for a scholarship. There are currently 803 youth enrolled in the program. To date, $74,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to 86 youth.
- More than 450,000 containers of Scout Popcorn were purchased by Canadians.
- The average sales for a Scout Group was $8,000.
See the Scout Popcorn 2013 Highlights infographic for more details.
Scout Popcorn in action:
Discovering a future career
Gabe, the highest selling Beaver Scout in southeast New Brunswick, started his Scout Popcorn campaign by telling his Mom and Dad that he wanted to sell as much as he could. Going door-to-door with his Dad, Gabe soon found out that little by little he was able to sell more and more. "I was told by more than one person that I have a future in sales. Two people even offered me jobs once I'm a teenager," said Gabe. Through Scout Popcorn, Gabe got to meet a lot of his neighbors, including the city's mayor.
Setting and achieving goals, providing new opportunities
The Guelph Police Services Venturer Company, which was formed in September 2013, held its first Scout Popcorn campaign with great success. Not only that—the group met a challenge set by one of its volunteers who promised to chop off his seven-inch-long ponytail and shave his head, all because the Venturer Company achieved its goal. The group will use the Scout Popcorn profits to buy the equipment and supplies needed for the start-up of this new vocational group.
Spending time with family, raising money for camping supplies
Nicholas, from Newfoundland and Labrador, enjoys selling Scout Popcorn because he gets to meet so many people and often hears stories from people that reflect upon their own days in Scouting. It's a period when both Nicholas and his Dad get to spend some time together as they go door-to-door selling popcorn. Nicholas works hard to raise funds for his 1st Topsail Group so it can purchase camping equipment. Nicholas puts his heart into selling Scout Popcorn, and has sold more than $10,000 in the last three years.
About Scout Popcorn
The Scout Popcorn program helps youth cultivate valuable business skills, such as financial responsibility, marketing strategy and time management skills. In the process, youth develop confidence and positive self-esteem. More than sixty percent of all funds raised go back to support local Scouting. This money helps Groups purchase equipment and fund activities such as camping and international trips. Scouts who raise $2,500 or more have six percent of their annual total sales invested in an account for their post-secondary education expenses. For more information about Scout Popcorn or to see photos from this year's sale visit Scoutpopcorn.ca.
About Scouts Canada
Kids in Scouts have fun adventures, discovering new things and experiences they wouldn't discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For tens of thousands of children and youth across Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. Scouts Canada is the country's leading co-ed youth organization, with more than 100,000 members nationwide. Scouts Canada offers programming for children and youth aged 5-26 in multiple languages, reflecting Canada's multicultural landscape and communities. For more information, visit Scouts.ca.
Scouts Canada is a not-for-profit organization (Charitable Registration No. 10776 1694 RR0028) and a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
SOURCE: Scouts Canada
For further information:
Andrea McLoughlin
Holmes PR
416-628-5609
[email protected]
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