It was a rainy day at Jewel in Deerfield, and Ewan and his mom were about 30 minutes from finishing their popcorn fundraiser shift.
They had debated packing up early, but decided to stick it out.
Good thing they did.
Ewan had been having fun with shoppers, joking about the popcorn prices and donations. His usual line was, “The bags are $20, the box is $25, and we also take donations of a minimum of $100.”
His mom would quickly jump in: “No, Ewan. We take donations of any amount!”
It had become their little comedy routine.
Then a young man and his girlfriend stopped.
“How about a thousand?” the man asked.
They laughed at first, thinking he was joking.
But he wasn't.
After confirming the amount—not once, but several times—the donation was processed. $1,000.
The couple didn't want any popcorn. They simply wanted to support Scouting.
Ewan waved his hat and called out, “Thank you!” as they walked away. It was the kind of moment this family says they'll be talking about for years.
The Big Gift Is a Great Story. The Bigger Story Is Every Gift.
A $1,000 donation is certainly an extraordinary moment. But here's what we really love about this story: the family was out there asking.
They showed up. They stood in front of a store on a rainy day. They talked to people. They shared what Scouting means to them. And they gave people an opportunity to help.
Most people won't respond with a $1,000 donation—and that's perfectly okay.
A $5 donation matters. A $10 donation matters. Buying a bag of popcorn matters. And so does simply stopping to talk with a Scout and learning more about what Scouting provides.
Popcorn is a fundraiser—not simply a popcorn sale.
The money raised helps Scouts experience camping, outdoor adventures, leadership opportunities, activities and programs throughout the year. Every purchase and every donation helps make those experiences possible.
Don't Want Popcorn? You Can Still Help.
Not everyone wants to take home a bag of popcorn. That's where Heroes & Helpers comes in.
Heroes & Helpers gives families a simple way to support Scouting through a donation without purchasing popcorn. Whether someone contributes $5, $20 or more, their generosity goes toward helping Scouts have opportunities to learn, grow and experience the adventure of Scouting.
So when your Scout is selling popcorn this fall, don't be afraid to ask.
Ask for the sale. Ask for a donation. Tell your Scouting story.
You never know who might stop.
And while you probably won't get a $1,000 donation every time, every person who says yes is helping your Scout and other Scouts experience more of what Scouting has to offer.
That rainy afternoon in Deerfield? It turned into a story one Scouting family won't soon forget.
And that's one more reason to keep showing up.