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Belmar Scouts lend a hand at United Methodist Church

November 4, 2009 by Star News Group: Belmar Headlines
Filed under StarNewsGroup.com

By Zach Levine

Members of several different Belmar Scout Troops lent a hand recently at the United Methodist Church’s spaghetti dinner fundraiser, in Belmar. Helpers included [top row, from left] Bobby Caslow, Tommy Caslow, Larissa Brown, Serge Werner and Eddie Brown, as well as [front row, from left] TJ Chamberlin, Ted Viars and Joseph Glasser.
Photo courtesy RAY GLASSER

In an effort to give back to the local community and help out a local church, as well, members of the Belmar Troop 40 Boy Scouts, Belmar Pack 40 Cub Scouts, and Belmar Troop 46 Girl Scouts lent a hand recently at the United Methodist Church Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.

Scouts involved in the event included Bobby Caslow, Tommy Caslow, Larissa Brown, Serge Werner, Eddie Brown, TJ Chamberlin, Ted Viars, Joseph Glasser, Cristian Vanschoick, Sean Ennis and Liam Farrington.

Ray Glasser, Bear Den Leader of Pack 40, said one of the reasons the Scouts helped out with the event was because Pack Committee Chairman Eugene Chamberlin is also a pastor at the United Methodist Church, along with his wife, Ellen.

The Chamberlins, who became pastors of the church this past July, were the lead organizers of the dinner.

Mr. Glasser said the church provided all of the food for the evening, and the Scouts were just there to lend a hand wherever they were needed.

“We were just there as helpers really,” he said.

He went on to say the overall importance of the evening was for the Scouts to learn the importance of helping out in the local community, and he was glad to see them get involved on such a personal level.

“It was really fun to see the kids out there and getting involved with the community,” he said. “It was just great to see them helping people.”

Mr. Glasser’s son, Joseph, 8, said this was one of the most fun activities he could remember his Troop doing together, and he was equally happy just to be working with his friends at the event.

“It was really fun, and I think eating the dinner was the best part,” Joseph said.

Mr. Glasser said the Scouts had numerous jobs throughout the evening, including serving food and drinks to the churchgoers, as well as taking out the trash when it got full.

“I served the meatballs and took out the garbage,” Joseph added.

Pastor Eugene said the church and the Scouts were looking to make a positive impact on the community, and he believed they accomplished their goal.

“We wanted to have a fundraiser, but it was done more so the community could come into the church,” he said. “The church has been here for such a long time, and though the congregation is small, we wanted to remind the community the church is here for them.”

Pastor Eugene said the Scouts normally meet at the church, and he thought it would be nice for the Scouts and the church to work in conjunction with one another.

“It was a neat opportunity to bring the community and the Scouts together to show they’re active in the community,” he said.

Over $500 was raised from the dinner, which about 60 people attended.

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner cost $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Pastor Eugene said one great thing which came from the event was that a good number of people bought tickets for the dinner, but instead of using them, the people gave the tickets to those in need.

“If folks couldn’t make it, one of the suggestions we made was that people could still purchase a ticket and give the tickets away to those who wanted,” he said. “We were just happy to get people fed who might not have gotten fed in a while.”

He went on to say how proud he was of the Scouts, saying they do a great deal of service for the local community.

“To hear the laughter and see the smiling faces is something I think we all need these days, and it was really made special by the boys of Belmar Pack 40 being there, not only to help serve and greet folks as they entered the building, but to also be a part of something so cool,” he said.

Pastor Eugene said that, in the coming months, the Scouts will also have a food drive in the local community, with all donations going to local food pantries.

He also said residents should be on the lookout, as the United Methodist Church will have something every month for the local community, including a free soup and bread meal at the church later this month.

“We are going to try every month to have some sort of community outreach,” he said.

More Belmar news, plus full coverage of southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties, can be found at starnewsgroup.com.

Tags: Belmar News, The Coast Star