April Scrap Metal Drive Helping Troop 102
The Green Dumpster for the Lowell Boy Scouts Scrap Metal Fundraiser
Justin Scott - Community News
4/11/2024
At the end of Washington street, you can find a small cabin on a hill. That unassuming cabin has helped plenty of Lowell kids over the years learn important life skills. That's because it's the home of Troop 102 of the Boy Scouts of America.
The program has for decades been of little to no cost to join, but with rising costs from both national and local councils and optional costs for unique activities like a summer camp for example fundraising is essential. To help run the program, troop leaders organize a scrap metal fundraiser each year which as a bonus is a great option for Lowell residents doing spring cleanup.
"We just ask everyone to use their heads with what they drop off. Last year as we were trying to wrap up the drive someone dropped off a fiberglass old jet ski with absolutely no metal on it and things like that actually cost us money," said Jason Meis, who currently leads the troop and is helping organize the scrap metal drive. His son Logan is a Life Scout in the troop.
The troop makes extra money through this drive to help run the program without charging additional fees, make upgrades to the scout cabin, and help expand opportunities for current scouts. The scrap metal drive has been going on for several years, and the Troop would like to keep it an annual event.
Furniture, televisions, electronics, mattresses, tires, anything containing liquids such as propane tanks, and gas cans are not accepted as far as donations. Ideal items for donation are things made primarily of metal, such as old metal appliances, grills, bikes, metal car parts, and metal framing.
The drive will run through the end of April as long as demand is there. The dumpster to put scrap metal in can be found at the old fairgrounds, on the north side of the King building in the parking lot.
"We're grateful to the City of Lowell for letting us use this space," Meis added, just wanting those who utilize the scrap metal dumpsters to help keep the area clean. "This is a huge help to the troop, and hopefully a great way to help the local community as well," Meis concluded.
