Good Turn For Greenwich
“A Good Turn is more than simple good manners. It is a special act of kindness.”
The Boy Scout Handbook, 11th Edition, p. 55
MISSION
Good Turn For Greenwich was a local call to service to improve our community through the volunteer efforts of Greenwich Scouting in collaboration with community and civic organizations by supporting and participating in 100 Good Turn projects in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of both the Boy Scouts of America (2010) and Greenwich Scouting (2012).
GOAL
Good Turns are intended to improve local issues such as healthy living, shelter, disaster relief, elderly, food collection, safety, public parks and open spaces.
GOOD TURN FOR GREENWICH SUCCESS!
From 2010 to 2012 Scouts recorded over 120+ local service projects with 2,217 volunteers participating and 11,905 hours logged. Good Turn for Greenwich was so impressive that the efforts have continued into 2013. Volunteers are always needed for Upcoming Service Projects and the list of Partnering Organizations continues to expand! Check out the official Good Turn For Greenwich Projects.
BACKGROUND
Since its inception in 1910, members of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have learned to live the principles of the Scout Oath and Law through community services and "helping other people at all times." To expand upon the BSA's "Good Turn for America" program and to celebrate the monumental 100th Anniversaries of the BSA and Greenwich Scouting, Good Turn For Greenwich (GTFG) was created, with Peter Tesei, First Selectman of the Town of Greenwich, serving as Chairman. GTFG officially launched on May 1st, 2010 with the Greenwich Scouting clean-up and conservation project on Island Beach and Great Captain’s Island and the 100th documented project was appropriately the 2012 Fall Camporee and Service Project at Ernest Thompson Seton's Cos Cob Wyndygoul home (now the Pomerance Property). Over 120 service project were documented over the course of the two years, well exceeding the goal!
Meeting the needs of the Greenwich community is dependent on its citizens to answer the call of volunteerism. Throughout its existence the BSA has partnered with community organizations to charter Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Packs, Venturing Crews and Explorer Posts. Service learning is an integral part of the Scouting program and partnering with our local organizations as volunteers creates a win/win situation for everyone!
WHAT IS A GOOD TURN?
Good Turns may be big - helping out after floods or other disasters, recycling community trash, working on conservation projects, saving a life; or they can be small - thoughtful acts, helping a child cross a busy street, going to the store for an elderly neighbor, doing something special for a brother or sister, welcoming a new student to your school.
For Good Turn For Greenwich a "Good Turn" is defined as a service project benefiting our community or involving volunteers and Scouts from Greenwich Scouting.