Lincolnshire Scouts raise $1,000 for Haiti

As they've worked to help the earthquake victims in Haiti, there's no question the members of Boy Scout Troop 78 of Lincolnshire have heart.

Big hearts, as it turns out.

The boys have been selling large, hand-painted wooden hearts as a way to raise money to buy emergency shelters and equipment for the beleaguered Haitian people.

The hearts are going for $10 each, and they've also been collecting independent donations. As of earlier this month, they've raised about $1,600, said troop volunteer Barb Tolbert.

"I'm overwhelmed by the response from the community," said Tolbert, of Vernon Hills.

The troop will use the cash to buy tents and equipment for an international aid group called ShelterBox. Each large green box contains enough gear to temporarily help up to 10 people.

The troop's goal is to pay for three boxes, Tolbert said.

Materials were donated by the Menards store in Long Grove. Troop volunteer Jim DeWald cut the hearts.

The boys have been selling the hearts door to door but also have been soliciting support over the phone, Tolbert said.

"They're a fantastic group of boys and leaders," Tolbert said.

The Lincolnshire Morning Star Rotary Club has offered to match the first $1,000 raised by the scouts.

To learn more about the troop and its Haiti relief effort, visit troop78.com or lincolnshirerotary.org.

To learn more about the ShelterBox organization, visit shelterbox.org.