Local scouts fundraise, make connections

Following some exciting news within the Boy Scout Troop 354, as one of Newton’s own attained the rank of Eagle Scout, it was apparent the troop’s leaders were beaming with pride Friday night. The scout’s third annual spaghetti dinner drew in about 100 attendees at the McCann Center.

As the tables filled up with hungry guests, the group of scouts served spaghetti plates and then washed a mound of dishes. The meal was not just a fundraiser, but it was a way for the boys to connect with their community.

"This an opportunity for them to work with the community and get them out in front of people," Todd Townsend, Committee Chairman said. "This night allows them to be around people they aren't used to being around every day."

Townsend said he is also appreciative of the connections and partnerships that have already been established.

“We are really happy they support them,” Townsend said. “It’s very important because our boys try to be out in the community a lot and they try to do service projects.”

Some of the most recent service projects and events the boy scouts have participated in include participation in service at a Newton football game and other projects aimed at helping others in the community.

“We did senior night at the football game with flags with the veterans, and we recently completed work out at the Christian Conference Center,” Aaron McConeghey, a committee member said.

The scouts also contributed to the Gaga Pit project which helped earn Gage Linahon his Eagle Scout designation, McConeghey said.

When the troop of 35 scouts takes trips for those projects, Scoutmaster Matt Rogahn said he hears nothing but positive feedback about the boys’ character.

“A lot of times the community will see these boys out working, and we get a lot of compliments about these guys and their good work ethic,” Rogahn said. “We also do a real good job coordinating, helping out and serving.”

Rogahn said the compliments aren’t uncommon when the troop travels and goes out to camp once a month.

“We usually stop and eat somewhere and it’s not uncommon for people to come up to us and compliment on how clean and how well-mannered they are,” Rogahn said.

Upcoming projects for the scouts include helping with the St. Nick’s Christmas program and assisting with the food pantry at The Salvation Army.

Troop 354 of the Mid Iowa Council is chartered under the Woodrow Wilson PTA. Weekly meetings are held 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Contact Kayla Singletary at
641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or
ksingletary@newtondailynews.com