MINNEAPOLIS -- Pilgrim Cleaners, in partnership with Boy Scouts of America, is leading the effort to collect Boy Scout uniforms for those who cannot afford to purchase them throughout the month of July during their Scout Uniform Collection Drive.
During the entire month of July, all 25 Pilgrim Cleaners locations will accept donated Scout uniforms, clean them and deliver them to the Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America for distribution to Scouts in need. Special emphasis is being made to collect Cub Scout uniforms - the blue shirts worn by Scouts in first through third grade. With over 5,000 Cubs joining for the first time, or transition from their simple kindergarten Lion Cub T-Shirt, this is the greatest area of need. Other uniforms needed are Boy Scout, Venturer, and adult leader uniforms and uniforms parts such as belts, neckerchiefs and hats.
You can find your nearest Pilgrim Cleaners by visiting their website. You can also drop off donated uniforms to the St. Paul Scout Service Center or the Golden Valley Scout Service Center between 8 am and 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday. If you do not have a uniform to donate but still want to contribute to the Scout Uniform Collection Drive, you can send a monetary contribution to an Northern Star Council BSA.
During our tough economic times, Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America, are requesting more uniforms than ever before. A recent independent local study by BSA showed more than 5,000 Northern Star Council youth members throughout the metro area alone were from families of limited resources, qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Over the past five years, the uniform drive has been able to collect and deliver more than 1,700 uniforms to Boy Scouts who have been unable to purchase their uniforms.
(Copyright KARE. All rights reserved.)