Scouts spruce up St. Matthew's Church

Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts all take an oath when joining the scouting program. They all promise to help other people whenever possible. On Saturday, Nov. 7, scouts from the local Pathfinder District, including Cub Scout packs 496, and 493, Boy Scout troops 496, 196 and 493 and Girl Scout Troop 513, along with parents, worked together for three hours at St. Matthew's Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, removing many years worth of unsightly dead branches and limbs from the wooded area next to its parking lot.

Wayne Oates, chartered organization representative for Pack and Troop 496 from St. Matthew's, arranged the community service with members of the church's Garden of Eden Ministry, a small group of five members in charge of landscaping and beautification of the church grounds.

"With over 40 scout volunteers, three months of work the committee would need to do was completed in just one morning. This is a testament to how young people can ease the burden of older community members by just giving their time and helping out when possible," stated Oates "Anyone can do a simple deed to make this world better."

Kelly Behnke, committee chair for Pack 496 remarked, "It was great to see three generations of people all working together for the same common goal."

The Scouts not only kept their oath, but also grew as individuals, making their world a better place.

St. Matthew's has been the chartered organization for Pack and Troop 496 for over 30 years. For information on how to join Cub and Boy Scouts, please e-mail Wayne Oates at wayneoates2@comcast.net. For information on how to join Girl Scouts, please contact V6_GirMemAmb@gsvista.org . If you would like information on St. Matthew's Church, contact the church at (847) 891-1220.

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