Germantown’s Boy Scouts are taking on the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
The Flint water crisis first started in 2014 when the drinking water source for the city of Flint, Michigan was changed from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the cheaper Flint River. Due to insufficient water treatment, lead leaked from the lead water pipes into the drinking water, exposing over 100,000 residents. Fast forward four years later and the water crisis continues for those living in Flint.
As Boy Scouts, packs and troops within COLBSA are always looking for ways to provide community service and be helpful to those in need. COLBSA’s very own Pack 1719 of Germantown loves to support their local community but this year, they decided to help those in need beyond their district.
Pack 1719 is currently hosting a Flint Fundraiser, raising awareness about the ongoing Flint water crisis, collecting cases of water to ship to Michigan and accepting donations through a GoFundMe page to transport collected water and purchase water filter systems for Flint residents.
“The idea of hosting this fundraiser was brought to the committee in late spring and was accepted during our June Blue and Gold Dinner,” Pack 1719 Cubmaster Courtney Fulton said. “Our pack parents were asked to educate their children on the Flint crisis so they understood why we are doing this water collection. In no time, our entire pack was on board and advocating for this cause.”
The pack’s on-going fundraiser kicked off September 15 and is focusing on three objectives:
- Raising awareness about the ongoing water crisis that is still facing Michigan residents.
- Collecting cases of water that will be shipped to Flint, Michigan citizens.
- Raising funds (a $6,000 goal) that will help ship all of the water and purchase new water filter systems for homes.
Pack 1719 has been working with the Catholic Charities organization in Flint to coordinate the pack’s efforts in ensuring clean water is getting to Flint residents.
“I am shocked that this is still an issue and we’re determined to help make an impact for the Flint community,” Fulton said.
Are you interested in supporting Pack 1719 and their efforts to help Flint? Here is how you can get involved:
- Donate a case(s) of water to Pack 1719
- Make a donation to the Pack’s GoFundMe page
- Support the Pack during their next fundraiser event
If you’d like to learn more about supporting Flint, please contact Pack 1719 Cubmaster Courtney Fulton at cubmaster1719@gmail.com.