Area Scouts are offering the gift of reading and media to the entire Alden community this year.  

“Scouts and Scout leaders are always looking for ways to give back to the community we live in and serve others,” said Ann Bryson, Scout leader. “We used to have a summer reading program at the school, but with budget cuts that hasn’t happened for a few years we wanted to make something happen on our own this year.”

According to Bryson, the Alden Scouts Book Bank is patterned after the media shelves at the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester where she spent a lot of time last year.

“I really appreciated all the books and magazines to read in the house during my recovery from my transplant and wanted to make that happen here in Alden,” she said. “The American Bank in Alden was kind enough to let us continue to use the former boardroom space for this new project and Streater donated two eight-foot sets of shelving, so let the project begin.”

Bryson said that the “Alden Scouts Book Bank” will be open during regular American Bank hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“Please bring your donations in to the bank and find an appropriate location to shelve them,” she said. “Scouts may be re-arranging donations to get the proper fit so don’t be alarmed if your items are moved. We want to encourage reading and family fun through the Alden Scouts Book Bank so any donations are greatly appreciated.”

Community members making donations should label them, “Alden Scouts Book Bank” so when items are lent out, the borrower is reminded where the book or item came from and returns it properly.

“We have had a few donations already,” said Bryson. “I put paper boxes from JensPrint on the end of each shelf to hold the books in place and the shelves from Streater are gorgeous,” she said. “Some of the items were are requesting are: books for readers of all ages, magazines, DVDs, VCR tapes, puzzles, games, gaming systems and games and toys. We hope it gets lots of use.”

According to Bryson, the project is also requesting donations of Scout books, Scout uniforms or any other Scout items. “If you have Scouting materials to donate, please put them in the “Scouts only” box at the bank,” she said. “We really hope to have lots of media choices donated by the community and for the community. We are using the honor system for patrons to return materials when they are done with them so the next person or family may enjoy them.  Please make sure donated items are in good, usable condition, and we hope to have items for all ages.”

Coming up next year, 2010 will mark the 100-year mark of Boy Scouts. In 2012, the Girl Scouts will celebrate 100 years of giving.

“I think Alden has had four young men get their Eagle Scout Award, which is the highest award there is in Scouting,” said Bryson.

According to Bryson, the Scout motto is: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. The Girl Scout motto is: I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

 “Scouting opportunities are available in Alden,” said Bryson. “We have Cub Scouts for boys in first through fifth grade. For more information, contact me at 874-3871. Girl Scouts for girls in kindergarten through high school, contact Tina Horejsi at 265-3882 or Nancy Kuethe at 265-3454. Boy Scouts for young men in sixth grade through high school, contact Richard Lackey at 874-3157.”

According to Bryson, Scouting programs promote youth to do their best, discover, connect, take action, to do their duty to serve God and country, to help other people at all times and to live by the laws of Scouting. “As leaders, we are very proud of the young people enrolled in Alden Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts,” said Bryson.