Shannon Philpott-Sanders

Celebrating Neighbors: Scout Leader Extraordinaire

Published in the 9/23/09 issue of the Suburban Journals
Part of the “Celebrate Your Neighbor” Award Series

Scout Leader Extraordinaire

Although Steve Loos leads the Cub Scout oath each week with “On my honor, I will do my best,” he’s rarely one to ask for an honor. Loos, Cub Master for Pack 91 in Troy, has earned the recognition for his years of service to both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, according to fellow den leader Ernie Cristobal.

He is the heart and pulse that keeps Pack 91 going,” Cristobal said in his letter nominating Loos for the Suburban Journals Celebrate Your Neighbor Award.

“Steve volunteers countless hours each week planning, organizing, and executing activities and events for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Troy,” Cristobal said. “He is the one that holds the pack together.”

Humbled by the nomination, Loos said that he initially got involved with the scouts eight years ago when his children joined. “It started out as a necessity,” Loos said. “I got involved because of the kids.”

As he became more immersed in scouting activities, though, Loos said that he found many rewards for himself. “It has changed me in many ways – it has shown me to be more charitable.”

This is a lesson he hopes to pass on to the troops. “It’s important to get them to understand that there are more important things than yourself,” Loos said.

Loos’ focus is on teaching the boys the importance of charity work, a core value in scouting. “He is always focused on the boys and charities,” Cristobal said. “It’s never about him.”

It’s about the kids, Loos said. “I enjoy seeing the kids having fun.”

And the kids have fun while learning the value of giving back to the community, according to Cristobal.  “Each year through the pack, he has organized many fund raising events, donating the money to the local schools for play ground equipment and to Ministries Unlimited, the local food pantry that supports several communities in the area,” Cristobal said. “He doesn’t get any recognition for any of this and he doesn’t ask for anything.”

Like a good neighbor, Cristobal said Loos is always there. “Steve works hard as a great neighbor volunteering his time supporting our community, never asking for anything in return.”

– Shannon Philpott

September 30, 2009 - Posted by sphilpott | Feature Stories, Newspaper Writing, Sample Work | boy scouts, community service, Cub scouts, lewis and clark council, Steve Loos, Troy cub scouts, Troy IL