Golden Spread Boy Scouts of America hosts 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·3 min read

The Golden Spread Council Boy Scouts of America hosted its 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon on Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom to honor the persons, businesses and organizations that have benefitted the Scouts and to raise funds as a part of their Friends of Scouting Campaign.

Scouts from BSA Troop 633 and Troop 4086 kicked off the event by presenting the invocation and presentation of colors. The event, which included more than 700 guests, was emceed by Good Scout Lunch Chair Jody Holland.

"Our scouts are out there doing community service, having fun outdoors, camping, hiking, swimming, all of those things, but in the process, they are also becoming leaders and are preparing themselves for their future and the future of their community," said Brian Tobler, scout executive and CEO of the Golden Spread Council Boy Scouts of America.

Keynote speaker, Brigadier General Patrick R. Michaelis, speaks about the foundational qualities and opportunities being a Boy Scout provides for youth at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Keynote speaker, Brigadier General Patrick R. Michaelis, speaks about the foundational qualities and opportunities being a Boy Scout provides for youth at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Members of BSA Troop 633 and Troop 4086 presented the invocation and presentation of colors at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Members of BSA Troop 633 and Troop 4086 presented the invocation and presentation of colors at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.

"This luncheon is a great opportunity for us to showcase all of the great things we are doing in scouting, to the community and to hopefully receive the community's support so we can continue our mission and keep scouting affordable for everyone," Tobler added.

During the event, the Amarillo College Director of Athletics presented the 2024 Good Scout Awards to Will Miller for his longtime commitment to the organization and the community, and to ADVO for their continuous support and education of a Scout's qualities.

"What is happening here is so impactful, the community, the experiences, those are so important to those Scouts. It impacts their whole life, and in return, impacts our whole community," Miller said.

The award ceremony was followed by keynote speaker Brigadier General Patrick R. Michaelis, who connected his lifetime of achievements to the foundational qualities learned as a Scout, and the opportunities the organization provides for each child.

Jeremy Bradford, vice president of development at ADVO, accepts the Good Scout Award on behalf of the organization at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Jeremy Bradford, vice president of development at ADVO, accepts the Good Scout Award on behalf of the organization at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Will Miller accepts the 2024 Good Scout Award at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Will Miller accepts the 2024 Good Scout Award at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.

Eagle Scout Jonathan Larsen, who has been in a member of the local Boy Scouts for over five years, spoke about what he loves most about being a part of the organization and how he hopes to continue to inspire future generations by becoming a mentor and hopefully one a day a Scout leader in the upcoming years.

"I have done many things. I've spoken here, done shooting sports, flown planes. I've taken merit badges and gone to camps. I've been a camp counselor; I've done so many things. Being a Scout is an experience you will not regret and never forget," Larsen said.

"Soon I will turn 18 and I will become an adult leader. ... I am excited to give the incoming Scouts the experiences that I had. Nothing in my life will beat the experiences I had in Scouts; even the simple things like sitting around a campfire are a part of the memories I will never forget," Larsen added.

Members of BSA Troop 633 and Troop 4086 presented the invocation and presentation of colors at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
Members of BSA Troop 633 and Troop 4086 presented the invocation and presentation of colors at the 23rd annual Good Scout Luncheon, held Thursday afternoon in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.

As stated during the luncheon, the funds raised during the event and as a part of their Friends of Scouting Campaign will benefit the local organization to provide volunteer and staff training, insurance coverage, support staff, camps, equipment, recognitions for leaders, administrative needs, a council website, camperships, and more.

Individuals interested in supporting the campaign can make a donation now through the end of May. Donations can be made online at https://goldenspread.org/support-scouting/donate-now/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: 2024 Golden Spread Good Scout Luncheon honors individuals, businesses