Hoffman Estates Troop 399 celebrates milestones
Scouting America Troop 399 has been busy. This year it is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a Scout Troop chartered by St. Hubert Catholic Church. Thirty years ago the troop consisted of six young men. Last year they became a “family” troop, which means both boys and girls can be part of the troop. There are now 35 boys and girls actively involved. The troop is proud of its focus on service to others. Each year members organize a school supply collection for Chicago’s Grant-A-Wish organization. They also support the Hoffman Postal Workers’ annual food drive. Scouts typically end each year by staffing a New Year’s Eve celebration at GiGi’s Playhouse, a center for families impacted by Down syndrome. They have also supported numerous local charities through Eagle Scout projects.
Speaking of Eagle Scouts, the troop recently reached another milestone: Eegan Vincent became the 100th Scout to achieve the rank of Eagle through Troop 399. Eegan’s Eagle project was to demolish an old bridge and build a more accessible one at Crabtree Nature Center. Eegan is a junior at Conant High School and plans to major in economics or computer science. He is currently a troop instructor training younger scouts.
The troop is currently attempting to reach out to as many of its 100 Eagles as they can to see what they are doing today and how Scouting has impacted their lives.
The final milestone being celebrated is bittersweet. Longtime Scoutmaster Roger Malinski is retiring from that position after 21 years of service. “Mr. M,” as his Scouts call him, and his wife, Dzidra (Zee), have been involved in the Scouting program for more than 35 years. They have three sons who achieved the rank of Eagle. Mr. M was honored/roasted in a recent ceremony attended by 180 past and current Scouts, their families and a number of Scout leaders Mr. M has worked with throughout the years. He credits his co-leaders and predecessors for building the troop up.
When asked, Malinski said he is most proud of how the Scouts in the troop have adopted the Servant Leadership principle, where service comes first and your success is measured by the success of those you lead.