Local cub scouts and boy scouts will soon be knocking on doors in our area as their popcorn fundraiser kicks off in early September.

    Ken Kercheval, Executive Director for the Choctaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, made the announcement Thursday in a press conference at Citizens National Bank’s Downtown Banking Centre.

    “Not only can you buy some of our delicious popcorn, but you can also purchase batteries from area scouts, Kercheval said.

    “This fundraiser is vital to our Scouting program,” Kercheval said.  “The popcorn and battery sale supports our local Scouting units in Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton, and Clarke counties in East Mississippi, and Choctaw County in West Alabama. The funds are used to help area boys to pay for uniforms, attend camp and purchase the equipment they need.  The council also benefits by being able to make continuous camp improvements and service to all our communities to develop Scouting units,” Kercheval said.

    Beginning September 3rd, the scouts will be selling Campmaster’s gourmet popcorn, which features a variety of flavors such as Chocolatey Caramel Corn, Cheesy Salsa, and Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn.  Many of these flavors come in decorative tins which make great gifts, Kercheval said, and several microwave variety packs are also available. The movie theater butter is the top seller.

    “When our Scouts ask you to buy their popcorn, we want everybody to know that there’s a lot more to it than just enjoying great popcorn,” Kercheval said.  “Your popcorn purchase is a vote of confidence for local boys who are training to become our leaders of tomorrow,” he said. He also said the fundraiser is important because it teaches Scouts to set a goal, develop their selling techniques, and learn to interact with people.

    In 2012, the Choctaw Area Council increased their annual popcorn and battery sales by 15% over the previous year, with $244,000.00 in total sales, and Kercheval says the Scouts are going to be working hard to keep the momentum going.  Kercheval also said that Citizens National Bank’s support of the popcorn sale has been a huge asset to the council’s fundraising success over the years.  The bank promotes the popcorn sale on their website, through digital billboard messages, and through radio commercials.  “We are grateful for our partnership with Citizens National Bank over the years to help us get the word out,” Kercheval added.

    Archie McDonnell, President of Citizens National Bank, concurred that the partnership between the Bank and the Scout Council has been a great one over the years as the Bank believes in supporting local youth.

    Kercheval said that this is the third year that the scouts have sold batteries and the product has proven to be a big hit with area Scout supporters.  “After all, the average household has 25 items that use batteries, and that’s not even counting the extra demand during the holidays. So why not stock up now and let our Scouts deliver them right to your front door? We’ve got everything from 24 packs of double A and triple A batteries, to variety packs,” Kercheval said.

    If you have a son or grandson who would like to get involved in scouting, your timing also couldn’t be better because the Choctaw Area Council is in the process of signing up new scouts for the 2013-2014 school year.  The Cub Scout program is offered to boys between the ages of 7 and 10 years old, while boys between the ages of 11 and 17 are eligible to participate in the Boy Scout program. 

    To learn more about the Choctaw Area Council’s popcorn and battery fundraiser, or to sign up your child for scouting, call (601) 693-6757 or visit their office in person at 4818 North Park Drive.  You can also visit www.cacbsa.org or www.beascout.org to find out more about Scouting in East Mississippi and West Alabama.