Couple donates money to Boy Scouts after council action

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. - An elderly Madison couple has donated $2,500 to the local Boy Scouts following a City Council decision last week that keeps Rhythm & Booms organizers from donating any Fourth of July proceeds to the group.

The council added a provision to its deal with the organizers banning them from donating to organizations that discriminate based on gender, race or sexual orientation. The Scouts' national membership policy bans "avowed homosexuals."

But Maurice Reese, 83, co-founder of the former Lake City Bank, and his wife, Arlene, 81, of Madison said they believe in what the Boy Scouts do and have delivered a check for $2,500 to the Scouts' Four Lakes Council.

The city of Madison gives $11,750 a year, plus at least $50,000 in donated police overtime costs, to Rhythm & Booms. The Madison Fireworks Fund raises about $500,000 to fund the fireworks display every year, mostly through private donations.

Rhythm & Booms organizers donated $22,818 last year to area charities, including $2,500 to the Scouts.

Hundreds of Boy Scouts will once again help collect donations for local youth-oriented charities at the event this year, despite the council's action.