— Thank you to all those businesses and individuals who supported this year’s Penn’s Woods Council, Boy Scouts of America, fundraising effort.

Because of you, we raised more than $120,000 to support some 5,000 Boy Scouts and programs in the Greater Johnstown region.

Your support helped ensure local Scouting continues to strengthen family relationships, provide youth with caring mentors, inspire civic pride and compassion through service to others, and build self-confidence through achievement, recognition and leadership experience.

These are principles we need more of in our society today.

The culmination of this fundraising drive was the 41st Harry E. Mangle Dinner held this past Thursday evening at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center downtown. Nearly 400 people attended.

This night was special because we honored Joyce Murtha with the Distinguished Citizen Award. What a kind, thoughtful, wonderful lady! She embodies the principles of Scouting and sets an example by being involved in our community every day.

The event kicked off with a press conference where the media got to meet with and interview both Mrs. Murtha and our keynote speaker, Jim Rooney.

Jim is the son of Steelers owner and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.

Jim regaled us with stories about the Steelers organization, his father and his close association with the Murtha family.

Also with us front and center was Congressman Mark Critz. Mark served as our honorary campaign chairman. I personally  thank him for his unwavering support during this campaign. Despite his busy schedule in Washington, he always found time to talk with us and lend his support in any way possible.

We were pleased to have Eagle Scouts sitting at just about every table, dressed in their class A’s and looking sharp.

In fact, we recognized the oldest Eagle Scout in the room, Fremont McKenrick.

Mr. McKenrick earned his Eagle Scout award in 1936. 

What an honor it was to have him in attendance.

I want to give my personal thanks also to my team of volunteers, who worked tirelessly on this successful campaign: My friend, Dave Fyock, who also served as our master of ceremonies. He is always cool, calm and collected. 

Also, Rick Bausher, Barney Custer, Bill Locher, Terry Dietz, Matt DiFrancesco, Dick Bosserman, Keith Barclay, Rick Cosgrove, Karen Azer and Susan McCann.

Without the help of these wonderful folks this campaign would not have been possible.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I did not recognize the hardworking staff at the Scouting office, led by Clark Israel and Jeanne Smith. They are wonderful to work with and truly believe in the cause of Scouting.

I thank you, Greater Johnstown region.

You once again stepped to the plate and hit a home run for the Boy Scouts of the Penn’s Woods Council.



 Robin L. Quillon is the publisher of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at rquillon@tribdem.com.