RSS 2.0 FeedArchives before June 26, 2010, Merrick Life
Meet the new kid in town
Birch cub pack 225 celebrated the arrival of a new member.
Merrick and cub scout pack 225 is celebrating the arrival of 8 year old Yveder Joseph. Though a little shy, Yveder's respectful manner, willingness to pitch in and sharp intelligence has made him a favorite of all the boys.
You may be thinking, “that's nice,” but young Yveder's story has a lot more going for it. You see, Yveder survived the earthquake in Haiti. Having lost everything, they fled with the clothes on their backs to live with an aunt in Merrick. The relative provides room and board, but there is so much more that Yveder and his mother need.
The cub scout promise reads:
I, (Name), promise
To do my best
To do my duty to God
And help my Country
To help other people, and
To obey the law of the pack.
The boys of pack 225 are serious about fulfilling their promise. They have taken Yveder into their pack and share their love of scouting with him.
Diane Dreeben, chairperson and secretary for the pack shared Yveder's hardships with this newspaper. Following the lead of the scouts, Ms. Dreeben wrote to the Theodore Roosevelt Council of boy scouts. They have provided Yveder with a full cub scout uniform, free of charge. In addition, the generous cub scouts have agreed to pay his yearly membership in the pack. After appealing to Brands Cycle in Wantagh for a refurbished bike for Yveder, the owners went a step farther and presented the young man with a brand new bike.
At a recent pack meeting, all of the scouts, including Yveder, said that they have been collecting bottles and cans to cash in for the refunds. When asked how they approached their task of bottle collecting, two boys said they had combed the classrooms after school to find their precious booty. Cub scout Luca Tesoriero said that he was drinking all the bottled water that he could (much to the laughter of those at the meeting). Cub scout Chris Devlin said they have a name for the bottles and cans, “five centsers.” So far, the boys have collected over 4000 cans and bottles. Joe Costanzo, president of the pack said the money raised will be sent to Haiti to help those who remain in that country. It will be delivered to Haiti by Jean Alty.
Mr. Alty was at the meeting to help translate for Yveder. Though he is learning English at a rapid pace, Yveder's native tongue is French Creole.
The scouts were happy to share stories about Yveder. One boy mentioned that Yveder had been a top student at his school in Haiti (he now attends Birch School). When the same boy said that the Haitian school was an all boys school, another typical eight year old expressed a hearty “lucky!” Those sentiments may change in the next few years.
Yveder told this reporter that he helped his pack on a recent clean-up of Cedar Creek Park. He and the rest of the boys were proud of their battle wounds – poison ivy and ticks. They were equally gratified by the work they did to clean the environment and collect more cans and bottles.
The scouts are proud owners of pocket knives and many of them recited lines from the pledge they make when receiving their knives. Derek McKeon quoted, “I will treat my pocket knife with the respect due every tool.”
The lively and respectful group of boys said they are anticipating a camp out in June. Another project they are looking forward to is creating a go-kart. Mr. Costanzo invited any interested young boys to come and participate in the scouting experience. He can be contacted at Joe@CandCLandscape.com. Clearly, as promised, the cub scouts of Pack 225 are doing “their best.” Anyone wishing to donate items to Yveder Joseph and his mother are encouraged to contact Mr. Costanzo orDianaDreeben@optonline.net.