The underlying message of Christmas giving is to bring happiness and joy to others and that’s the intent behind Windham Cub Scout Pack 805’s annual Christmas initiative helping those in need in the community.
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| Members of Windham CuB Scout Pack 805 have adopted two local families from the school district and several kids in foster care and will fulfill their Christmas requests by gathering gifts ranging from simple clothing items to games and toys and gift cards. COURTESY PHOTO |
Melanson said that the local scouts and their families fulfilled requests by gathering Christmas gifts ranging from simple clothing items to games and toys to gift cards and that they have been able to obtain all the gifts requested by the adopted families and the kids in foster care.
The gifts will be delivered next week after a Cub Scout spaghetti dinner for Christmas that will bring together scouts and their families before the extended holiday break.
“We have such a great pack family,” Melanson said. “We want the Cub Scouts to take away from this experience the realization that Christmastime isn’t just about getting presents, but about helping others and spreading joy.”
This will be the fourth consecutive year that members of Windham Cub Scout Pack 805 have done their best to make sure that Christmas wish lists created by adopted families in need have been met.
“Pack 805 scouts and their parents are excited to help people in our community,” Melanson said. “Want to make the holidays better for someone who needs help.”
In November, Cub Scouts also pitched in to help collect hundreds of items for the Windham Food Pantry during a collection locally, Melanson said.
She said that charitable efforts such as collecting Christmas gifts and participating in a food drive connects the scouts with the community and demonstrates a commitment to helping.
“We want our scouts to learn what it means to be part of something important, what it means to help their community, to make new friends, to build relationships, and most importantly to grow as young men.”
She said that becoming a Cub Scout is almost like a rite of passage for many young boys in Windham.
“Our pack is a great group of scouts and parents. We care about each other, push each other, and just all around have fun,” Melanson said. “Cub Scout activities emphasize having fun and learning useful life skills. “
She became involved with the Cub Scouts when her son joined as a Tiger Scout in first grade. He’s now in seventh grade and has crossed over to participating in the Boy Scouts program in Windham.
“I was just a scout mom, but soon became part of it and then the chair for the Pack 805 Fundraising Committee,” Melanson said. “I am also now the Den leader.”
During the summer, members of Cub Scout Pack 805 work on completing tasks so the scouts can move up in scout ranks. Some of those activities include learning about first aid, safety, teamwork, nutrition, and a variety of other topics.
Meeting weekly, Melanson said that the ultimate intent of the Windham Cub Scout Pack 805 program is to teach the young scouts about responsibility, caring, and instruction in an array of different skills that will help them throughout their lives.
“I’d like to thank the whole pack, scouts and parents for making this Christmas drive a success.” Melanson said.
For more information about Windham Cub Scout Pack 805, send an email to scoutpack805me@gmail.com <
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