Calumet Council Boy Scouts of America Raises Funds with Wine Tasting

Calumet Council Boy Scouts March 29 2014-1The Calumet Council Boy Scouts of America hosted their 1st Annual Wine Pairing Gala to benefit the local Scouting Program. The event took place this evening at the Munster Center for Performing Arts. They partnered with Wente Vineyards, America's oldest continuously operating winery, to provide an excellent selection of wines. In addition to the excellent wine selection they aligned a menu to match.

“We have been planning for this event for the past nine months and it is a very important to not only my family, but to the boys and the families that we serve in the community,” said Mary Beth Swibe, one of the committee members.

All three of Mrs. Swibe’s sons were Eagle Scouts and have benefited from the various programs that the Council has offered over the years.

Calumet Council Boy Scouts March 29 2014-2There were just over 100 guests in attendance to the event, and they had the opportunity to bid on $9,000 in value of silent auction items. The items varied from spa packages, sport memorabilia, and a trip to the Wente Vineyards in California.

“In addition to a new event for us, there is a number of participants that are new to the Scouts. Approximately eighty percent of tonight’s attendees are new to a scouting event. Our goal is to extend our reach into the community and broaden our horizons and be relevant to the community," Mrs. Swibe went on to state.

The Calumet Council has a very broad reach in terms of geography, not only Indiana but Illinois as well, and serves approximately 6,000 scouts.

Calumet Council Boy Scouts March 29 2014-3"I am looking forward to meeting new people and having some fun, fellowship and a good time tonight," said Don Swibe, Vice-President of the Calumet Council. “The Boy Scouts are here and we are relevant in today’s society.”

It was obvious in many conversations throughout the event the importance of involving the parents and providing resources to help support education. One of the Scouts areas of emphasis is STEM education and training.

More information can be found about the council, membership, and volunteering opportunities on their website at: http://www.calumetcouncil.org/index.html.

Click here for more photos!