On Thursday, March 29, Phil Smelley of The Complete Insurance Source will host a dinner to raise support for the Boy Scouts of America. Smelley was particularly interested in sponsoring the 3rd Annual Golden Eagle Dinner because this year’s event honors his dear friend Hollis Harris.
“Hollis Harris exhibits the most rare and precious traits embodied in the Boy Scout values: vision, determination, and faithfulness,” said Smelley, Dinner Chair. He continued, “Hollis illustrates the American Dream.”
Hollis Harris of Peachtree City is a former CEO at Delta Airlines who stepped in to rescue and lead several other airlines. The entire event has much deeper meaning for the Boy Scouts of America, Flint River Council, and the community they serve.
The Golden Eagle Dinner is the largest fundraiser to support the work of the Boy Scouts in Fayette County. In 2011 67 scouts earned the highest rank possible in scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout, according to Cindy Schuchardt, Fayette District Executive for the Boy Scouts. All of them completed an extensive community service project, varying from community gardens to hiking trails to building items needed at a church.
Scouts also recently collected 32,000 items of food for the Real Life Center and the Fayette Samaritans, serving the hurting, the elderly and those who struggle financially in Fayette County.
Schuchardt said, “We are honoring Mr. Harris because of his similar values with Scouting and his work ethic.”
Schuchardt and Smelley are united in generating support so the Boy Scouts can continue their local youth and programming activities like the Pinewood Derby, Scouting for Food and camping events. Last year the dinner raised $89,050, but additional donations came in bringing the total to $106,197.
The Golden Eagle Dinner is held on March 29 at Glendalough Manor in Tyrone, and begins with a reception at 6 p.m. Sponsorships are available. Platinum level sponsorships are $2,500, Gold are $1,500, Silver are $1,000. Each sponsorship includes seats at the dinner.
For more information about sponsoring the Golden Eagle Dinner, joining Fayette County Scouting, or giving to the Boy Scouts, contact Cindy Schuchardt, cindy.schuchardt@scouting.org, call 678-572-8547, or send a donation to Attn: Cindy Schuchardt, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 173, Griffin, Ga. 30224.
“Scouting continues to thrive due to friends like you who provide the funds to support our mission: to instill values in young people,” said Schuchardt.
