Making a difference

Through our efforts in 2015, Beagle Open raised enough money to support a troop of Boy Scouts from Southwest Detroit attend summer camp.  Through no fault of their own, these kids may not have had the opportunities other Scouts have if it wasn’t for the generous donation from the Beagle Open.  This year, they attended summer camp and had a memorable time.  We recently received a thank you letter from the troop describing the joy and adventure the scouts had on their summer camp.  It was signed by all the scouts.  The letter read:

“Thank you for donating to our troop and I am happy to let you know that 16 campers are having a great time doing rifle shooting, swimming, fishing, climbing and watching racoons trample our shirts and steal our garbage.  Our troop is very appreciative of your support that provides this wonderful opportunity!”

The letter also included a note from the troop leaders:

“We can’t express our appreciation enough to you and your friends for your overwhelming generosity in donating your very generous contribution from ‘The Beagle Open’ to support a local Boy Scout troop in need of funds to attend camp.  With your help, sixteen 6th-9th graders were able to spend a week at Camp Rotary in Clare, Michigan, experiencing the great outdoors in ways they could never have the opportunities to do in their Southwest Detroit Neighborhood.  To see the joy on their faces as they made it over the wall of the climbing tower and won the top prize in the “Critter Crawl” with a hand-caught frog is something that nearly moved me to tears.  We are suburban leaders who saw the value of scouting for our own sons and we decided to start this troop to share that joy with others at Academy of the Americas.  Thanks to kind hearted folks like you and your fellow golfers, we’ve reached our goal!  Many thanks!”

If it wasn’t for the efforts of the Beagle Open and its participants, this opportunity may not have been possible.  We appreciate everyone who has supported the Beagle Open, which has allowed us to continue Gary Betzler’s legacy of helping others grow and learn through education and experience.