LOCAL BOY SCOUT TROOP WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Kingston Child ID Project Honored in 31st Annual Colgate Youth for America Campaign

NEW YORK (June 2004)—A New York state Boy Scout troop has won a national award in Colgate-Palmolive's 31st annual search for the country's best community projects by young Americans. Sawkill Fire Department Boy Scout Troop 8 in Kingston created identification profiles of elementary school children, and their efforts have won high honors in the 2004 Colgate Youth for America campaign.

The troop's project was chosen from among more than 2,000 entries nationwide and was recognized with a $500 second prize in the Boy Scouts of America division.

Each year, U.S. clubs and troops of six national youth organizations—Girl Scouts of the USA, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire USA, Girls Incorporated, 4-H, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America—are invited to enter their best community service projects for consideration. The effort was launched by Colgate-Palmolive in 1973 to encourage community involvement among young people, and cash grants are awarded for the best projects in each of the organizations annually.

Troop leader Robert Ferrigan said, "Parents and law enforcement officials need to be prepared for one of the most frightening crimes - child abduction. In conjunction with the county sheriff's office, our Scouts fingerprinted, photographed, and created personal profiles of elementary school children in the area. Parents then chose whether they would retain these profiles or keep them on file with the sheriff's office."

The project created an important database of information in case of a local child abduction. It also raised community awareness of the need to have vital statistics of local children immediately available to law enforcement and safety officials.

To have your child's profile created or for more information about Boy Scout Troop 8, contact Robert Ferrigan at 845-336-5118.