BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA RECOGNIZES STRESS-FREE FAMILY HOLIDAY MONTH
Nation's Leading Youth Organization Encourages Service to Reduce
Stress During Holidays
This December, the nation's leading youth organization, the Boy Scouts of
America, recognizes National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month by continuing its
commitment to serving those in need. As part of its Good Turn for America
initiative, the BSA urges Americans to join its efforts toward community service
through "Good Turns," offering simple ways to give back during the holidays.
Helping others makes the holidays less stressful for those in need, and studies
show that charitable acts such as donating time or money improve the
cardiovascular system, reduce stress levels, improve sleep, and increase overall
happiness in the donor .
"Our vision is to serve America's communities and families through our
values-based programs," said Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive of the BSA.
"This is why it is so important to recognize National Stress-Free Family Holiday
Month this December. We [the BSA] strive to Do a Good Turn Daily, serving our
communities and fostering a sense of good will toward others, and we urge all
Americans to do the same to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable
in their communities."
According to the Stress Institute, philanthropy is one of the top 10 ways to
reduce stress. The BSA offers a variety of ways to consider giving back this
holiday season:
- American Red Cross: The holidays are always difficult
times for blood donation. As people get busy with plans,
parties, and preparation, blood donation appointments are
often forgotten. Yet the need for blood remains constant and
urgent.
- Habitat for Humanity: What better gift to give at the
holidays than for a family to have a home of their own?
- Salvation Army: Donate your loose change to Salvation
Army bell ringers at your local store or personally select
toys and clothes for a specific child with the organization's
Angel Tree Christmas program.
One example of Scouts honoring National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month and
"doing a Good Turn for America" is Good Turn 2005: Merry Christmassissippi, a
cross-country holiday toy drive spanning more than 4,000 miles across the United
States. Boy Scouts and Scout leaders from Troop 650 in Alta Loma, California;
San Antonio, Texas; and Biloxi, Mississippi; have joined together with a goal
to collect more than $25,000 in gifts and supplies to be delivered to more than
300 children and families that were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Last year's Good Turn 2004: Happy Holidays to Hurricane Homes raised
approximately $23,000 and served hundreds affected by the devastating hurricane
season.
Each month, Boy Scout councils across the United States serve Americans
through the Good Turn for America initiative, which encourages Scouts to "Do a
Good Turn Daily" through a variety of community service projects. Good Turn for
America is a collaboration with The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the
American Red Cross, and thousands of other community organizations that focuses
the power of volunteerism on important community issues such as hunger, shelter,
and health. Started in 2004, Good Turn for America has generated more than 1.8
million hours of service to date.
Since its inception, the BSA has trained young people in citizenship, service,
and leadership to better serve America's communities and families through its
quality, values-based program. In the past 95 years, the nearly 110 million
members of Scouting have provided countless hours of service. The more than 1.7
million Eagle Scouts alone have provided an estimated 36 million hours of
service through their Eagle projects. Good Turn for America aims to make a
substantial positive impact on the nation by providing millions of volunteer
hours to benefit those in need. More information about service and
philanthropic leadership is available from the BSA at
www.goodturnforamerica.org.
Serving nearly 4.9 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with
more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the
Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character
development and values-based leadership training.
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