ORANGE PARK – The North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America hosted sponsors and the community at the 12-Point Scout Dinner on Thursday, where the Scouts honored Travis Cummings and raised funds for children in the greater North Florida area.

All of this led up to the big moment after the event, where guests pulled out their checkbooks in pride, collectively donating $44,350 to serve scouting in the 17-county area the district serves. The name for the event came from the 12 principles of scouting – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

The event was hosted at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and included a reception, dinner and speakers led by Cummings’ close friend, former state senator Rob Bradley.

“Your support is a critical part of our council’s budget. Your help will provide safe and quality programming to nearly 10,000 youth and adults. Included in this are more than 400 underprivileged children who need assistance to join quality scouting programs. Your gifts will help provide books and uniforms and help send them to camp,” Bradley said.

Bradley mentioned the virtues of scouting and commemorated the accomplishments and contributions to the Clay County community provided by Cummings, a close friend of the former state representative.

“Travis is my best friend, and I will tell you that I can’t think of anybody that has given more back to the community. He’s done things that you don’t even know to improve the lives of all of our neighbors that make Clay County something we all enjoy to live in, run a business in and call home,” he said.

Other speakers included Superintendent David Broskie and Scout Executive and CEO Kelvin Williams.

“It’s always a pleasure to see how our community really stands up for this great organization. I just moved to Clay County, and I’m just glad to be here and see so many friendly faces. You guys just don’t know how much we appreciate it,” Williams said.

Bradley said he was pleased with the results of the dinner.

“Well, it was a huge success. The community came out in record numbers, and we raised almost $50,000. That’s going to go on to support scouting in our community. It’s a worthwhile endeavor, and we’re just proud to be a part of it. It was bigger and better (than last year’s event), and that’s appropriate because scouting just keeps getting bigger and better,” he said.

Williams agreed.

“Once again, the community stood up for scouting, and we just appreciate everybody and all the leadership. I tell you, man, it’s special because I live here, and for everybody just to come out was awesome. We surpassed our (fundraising) goal, and that’s always great. It’s good programming for scouting and the community, so I’m just very glad and thankful for the guys and girls and everybody coming out to sponsor,” Williams said.