By Staff Report
Since 2009, Boy Scout Troop 610, sponsored by St. Stephens Church in Valrico, has held a fundraising event, FishHawk Area Mulch Madness. The name of this event originated by prior committee member Chris Paddock; so named for his affinity for college basketball, and a passion for watching the sweet 16 college teams work their way down to the final four in March each year.
Paddock brought this program to the troop after he relocated here from Virginia, where he helped run a similar program for a troop in the D.C. area.
The Scouts have a loyal following of repeat customers and are hoping more will participate. Over the last four years of conducting the FishHawk Area Mulch Madness campaign, Troop 610 has sold and distributed over 4,200 bags of mulch, generating $14,000 in revenue which helped fund over 40 scouts and their high adventure activities. These activities help build strong character, along with work ethics that every young man should learn early in life. To make these adventures affordable, this campaign helps pay for a portion of the expense while building strong character along with work ethics that every young man should learn early in life.
Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Ventola said, “This year their crew of ten boys and four adults will embark on a Northern Tier Trek in Minnesota in August. This is a Scout High Adventure where boys over age 14 are tested both physically and mentally in achieving a personal best many individuals would never attempt.” There are also two other BSA sanctioned ordeals, Sea Base in Key West and Philmont in New Mexico.
This year’s FishHawk Mulch Madness fundraiser will be accepting orders through Wednesday, February 27. Distribution day is Saturday, March 2 between 8 a.m. and 12 Noon at FishHawk Fellowship Church, located at 15326 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia. Pastor David Whitten and his staff faithfully support distribution efforts each year and the troop is thankful for all they have done. “This year their goal is to distribute 1600 bags of mulch, which is a 200% volume increase from when the campaign started in 2009”, said Ventola.
Their well-organized, well-coordinated and high-quality program and product completely eliminates all the hassles of buying, transporting and even installing your mulch. They offer commercial grade Florida produced Pine Bark Mini Nuggets in 3cft. bags. For a small nominal fee, customers can have the mulch delivered, placed where instructed in the front or side yard, and have it installed by a professional contractor.
