The De Soto Area Council, an organization that administrates the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 11 counties in south central Arkansas, will hold their annual Friends of Scouting El Dorado luncheon next week at the First Financial Music Hall at the Griffin.
“It helps support the Council financially to put on the programs that we have, it helps us to put on Camp De Soto,” said Ted Woodlock, Scout executive at the Council. “It helps all of our operations.”
This year’s luncheon speaker will be Bert Jones, a former All American quarterback at Louisiana State University and Most Valuable Player in the National Football League during his time playing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Woodlock said Jones and Andrew Clyde, a De Soto Area Council board member and the event chairman, will take the stage for a “fireside chat” before having a question and answer session with attendees.
This year, the De Soto Area Council has a fundraising goal of $70,000.
“Last year, we raised about $75,000 altogether. That was an all-time high, so we’ll see if we’re able to replicate that,” Woodlock said.
The Friends of Scouting luncheon is free to attend, though the Council asks that attendees donate at the event. There will be a lunch catered by the Griffin Restaurant.
Tables are available for sponsorship as well. The Council asks that those who plan to attend RSVP by calling their office or visiting their website. The event will take place Feb. 13 and starts at noon.
The Council will also host their 96th Anniversary Recognition Banquet on Feb. 16. The event will recognize Eagle Scouts and volunteers from each of the 11 counties the Council represents and will be held in Monticello.
Woodlock said that of nine young men being recognized for earning their Eagle Scouts last year, two are from Union County. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the BSA and is recognized throughout the country as a symbol of achievement, according to the BSA’s website.
The banquet will also recognize volunteers who helped develop the BSA last year, Woodlock said. District Awards of Merit will be granted to volunteers from each of the 11 counties the Council represents. Woodlock declined to announce the winners early.
“Our tradition is that we keep that secret until we announce it,” Woodlock said. “Some Councils announce it ahead of time … and here we just try to do the sneaky approach.”
The Silver Beaver will also be awarded. Woodlock said the Silver Beaver is the Council’s top honor for BSA volunteers. He declined to share the winner of that award as well.
The 96th Anniversary Recognition Banquet will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the First United Methodist Church in Monticello. Tickets are $10 for those 12 and under, $20 for those 13 and older and an additional $5 will be charged for tickets bought at the door.
To purchase tickets, visit the De Soto Area Council’s website at desotoareacouncil.org or call 870-863-5166. Their office is headquartered in El Dorado, at 118 W. Peach St.
“If anybody’s interested in supporting the Council or volunteering for Scouting, they can contact us here at the Scout office,” Woodlock said.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].