Louisiana flooding hits Scout families; here’s how to help

Deadly flooding in Louisiana has affected at least 40,000 homes — many belonging to Scout families.

Scouts and Scouters in the Evangeline Area Council in Lafayette and the Istrouma Area Council in Baton Rouge have been displaced.

“I can’t begin to describe the widespread devastation but am overwhelmed with pride for our community as I witness strangers selflessly helping one another,” Evangeline Area Council Scout Executive Art Hawkins wrote in an email. “This storm is unique because we had no time to prepare.”

Many Louisiana families carried hurricane insurance but not flood insurance, meaning the financial hit will be devastating.

Scouts in the area are volunteering their time, but many who aren’t near Louisiana have asked what they can do.

Thoughts and prayers are always nice, but Hawkins says those wishing to make a monetary gift can do so by texting the message Scouts4Scouts to the number 41444. Follow the instructions in the reply to make your tax-deductible gift.

“Any and all support we can get to help those in our Scouting family who have lost everything will mean more to them than we can possibly know,” Hawkins wrote. “Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”

The fund will provide new uniforms and handbooks to Scouts and leaders affected by the floods and help both impacted councils return to normal.