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Donors do Boy Scouts a good turn $16,000 comes in amid flap about policy on gays By JONEL ALECCIA Donations approaching $16,000 have poured into the local Boy Scouts office in recent days as supporters seek to offset funding cuts sparked by a national anti-homosexual discrimination policy. One anonymous couple wrote a check for $6,000 - about the amount the Crater Lake Council of Boy Scouts of America stands to lose this year following a United Way vote to trim funding unless a discrimination policy is reversed. "They said, 'Let's just make that go away,' " said Ed Roussell, Boy Scouts development director. The couple were among more than 100 people who have written, phoned or visited the local Scouts offices since Tuesday to express support for the youth agency that serves 6,600 youngsters in central and Southern Oregon and Northern California. "As BSA staffers have opened the letters sent in, $10 and $20 checks have fallen out, along with $100 checks," Roussell said. "Just yesterday, a man walked into our Boy Scout store and wrote a check for $1,000. That kind of gesture is hard to put into words." Most contributors objected to a local United Way decision to cut funding for the Scouts by 15 percent this year and every year as long as the local chapter refuses to sign a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. The U.S. Supreme Court last year upheld the Scouts' right to reject homosexual leaders. "I would say we don't discriminate to the boys and girls in our programs and to the families that we serve," Roussell said. "We reserve the right to select leaders that reflect this organization's values." In addition to the United Way vote, two prominent area foundations recently declined $42,000 in grant requests from the Boy Scouts, citing specific nondiscrimination rules. The Carpenter Foundation of Medford and the Oregon Community Foundation both declined recent grant applications from the local Scouts chapter. Nearly a dozen people called the Carpenter Foundation offices to express support for the position, said Polly Williams, program officer. One caller criticized the decision, she said. Local United Way officials said they've received many calls, letters and e-mails about the issue. "We continue to get calls of support as well as calls of opposition," said Executive Director Dee Anne Everson. "We hear from people who honor and respect our decision." The financial impact of the controversy won't be apparent for more than a year, when United Way payroll deduction contributions are analyzed, Everson said. Although general funds for the Scouts will be cut, United Way will continue to honor requests of contributors who specifically designate that the Scouts receive money. United Way officials said they were pleased at the outpouring of support for the Boy Scouts. "I think it's great," said Jon Mitchell, president of the United Way board of directors. "It's going to help our area's youth and that's the bottom line for both agencies." Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.