By Berit Ollestad
The Boy Scout model is “Be Prepared,” and that’s exactly how Pack 5 from Parsippany was when it showed up recently with toiletries, scarves, hats and gloves to distribute to the homeless during Project Homeless Connect in Morristown.
In years past this outing always had been an “excused absence” from school. This was the first time it technically was marked as unexcused. Yet that didn’t stop about a dozen Cub Scouts from participating in the day’s activities over at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
“It’s a life lesson and many of the parents felt that they would learn more today than they would in the classroom. Even though you think that maybe it isn’t sinking in with the boys, it is,” said father and pack leader, Sandy Geddes.
“I’m learning to help the community by helping the people that are homeless,” said Cub Scout Peter Loia.
“I was happy and nervous at the same time. I mean, I was really happy to help the people that came in that needed our help.
“But I was also kinda nervous because I didn’t want to make them feel homeless. I used to think that they were just people that lived on the streets. But now I know after being here these past two years, they are just like us,” he said.
Another Scout came to a similar conclusion.
“Hopefully things will get better for them. They’re just down on their luck right now,” said Tyler Geddes, 11.