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Annual Boy Scouts dinner slated for Tuesday in Vienna

Rocky Bleier

VIENNA — The community will “Be Prepared” to help the Boy Scouts during the upcoming Community Leadership Dinner which will help raise money for area Scouting programs.

The 48th annual dinner to benefit the Allohak Council of the Boy Scouts of America will be Tuesday at the Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center in Vienna with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner at 7 p.m.

The dinner is the largest fundraiser of the Allohak Council. Around 200-225, possibly more, people are expected to attend the dinner Tuesday night, said Joe Testerman, Senior District Executive with Allohak Council.

The council has a fundraising goal of $100,000 to help with programs and other expenses, including the council’s two camps, Camp Kootaga in Wirt County and Camp Mahonegon in Upshur County. A silent auction will also be held during the dinner with items donated from area businesses and individuals.

“The Boy Scouts want to raise young people to be good citizens and good leaders for their community and all levels of society,” Testerman said of the need for community support.

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations, providing programs for young people that build character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness, according to the BSA’s webpage.

“For more than 100 years, Boy Scouts of America has helped build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun,” the webpage said.

Testerman said Scout learn by getting out and doing activities and being involved in their communities and with their fellow Scouts.

“The Scouts are doing things to learn while having fun,” he said.

Keynote speaker for the dinner is Rocky Bleier, Hall of Fame running back for the Pittsburgh Steeler and motivational speaker. During his rookie year with the Steelers, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for duty in Vietnam. During his time there he was wounded and lost part of one of his feet. He was told he would never play football again, but he worked his way back and made the team and returned to the field.

When he retired after the 1980 season, Bleier had 3,865 rushing yards, 136 receptions for 1,294 yards, and 25 touchdowns. At the time of his retirement, he was the Steelers’ fourth all-time leading rusher. He played and contributed to four Super Bowl championships with the Steelers.

“His talk is about overcoming adversity,” Testerman said. “No matter what happens, you can overcome it.”

More than 3,000 boys in a 17-county region in West Virginia and Ohio are served by the Allohak Council.

Seats are $175 each with $1,500 and $2,500 tables available and $5,000 for two tables. Those who donate over $10,000 are considered a dinner sponsor. Officials said all of the seats have been reserved for Tuesday’s dinner.

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