Amanda Johnson Havre Daily News ajohnson@havredailynews.com
Boy Scouts of America troops in Blaine, Hill, Liberty and northern Choteau counties, which comprise the local district, have sold $74,688 worth of popcorn this year a major increase, $13,256, from last year's sales of $61,432. "As a district we did very well this year," said Mark Carney Senior District Executive. "We haven't heard all the reports back for all the units. I know that one pack here in town (Havre) did about a third of that like, $24,000 to almost $25,000. I don't know what the other unit did that sells popcorn here. There's just a couple of units that sell popcorn here in Havre." The money raised will go toward scouting expenses such as summer camps, leadership courses and materials for local community service projects. "They (the scouts) get a pretty decent breakdown on that," Carney added. "And they get prizes." Carney said he did not expect to have the final individual unit reports until after Thanksgiving, because the Montana Council Boy Scouts implemented a different system of recording and entering popcorn sales this year. "Montana Boy Scouts won't give us that breakdown until they submit their popcorn money and prize choices," he said. Sales were also booming around the rest of the state. A recent Associated Press article reported that in Great Falls the total gross sales for this year’s Montana Council Boy Scout popcorn sale are a record $1,920,507. Scouts showed an increase of $148,368 over last year’s sales of $1,772,139, and $49,300 worth of popcorn was purchased by Montanans for active duty servicemen and women in Iraq and around the world. "This could not happen without all our great Scouts getting out there and doing their best. In these trying and uncertain economic times, Scouts have proven once again that Montanans support Scouting,” said Kerry Ketchum, Montana Council Popcorn chairwoman. “This goes much deeper than just a popcorn sale. This is a reflection that people realize we are providing an outstanding program to tomorrow's leaders." Montana Boy Scouts depend heavily on the proceeds from the annual sale to help pay for their basic Scouting needs. Of the $1.9 million, more than $1,340,000 stays right here in Montana to fund the Scouts' activities. The remaining amount goes to pay for the popcorn. This year’s top Scout salesman will be announced as soon as that Scout’s name is known. Last year’s top salesman was Jaben Wood, Troop 1933 in Kalispell, who sold $15,600 of popcorn. The popcorn will be delivered in the next three weeks. If anyone was not contacted by a Boy Scout and would like to buy some popcorn, there are limited quantities available. Locally, call Mark Carney at 265-1019.
