Foxborough Scout Troop 32 put its chopped and bundled firewood out at the Community Farm Stand on an honor system, trusting buyers to drop payment in a box beside the stacks. Within days, every bundle was gone. When troop leaders checked the box, they found a single dollar bill inside.
Scoutmaster Brian Compter told WJAR the sale was meant to help pay the troop’s operating costs, trips and other expenses. The station reported that Troop 32 had brought back the firewood fundraiser after several years, hoping to revive a tradition that had helped support its activities.
Scouts did the work of chopping, bundling and transporting the wood to the stand, according to WJAR. Boston.com reported that the troop typically sells bundles for $15 apiece to help fund camping trips throughout the year. All the bundles were gone when leaders checked the payment box, but it held only a dollar, according to Boston.com.
Word Spreads and Donations Start Rolling In
After the shortfall became known on social media, Foxborough residents contacted the troop with donations, while others paid in advance for bundles directly from the scouts, according to CBS Boston. The station reported that Troop 32 has nearly three dozen scouts, camps every month of the year and earned more than 100 badges over the summer.
Reports put the donations at around $2,000, though the totals varied by outlet and when each account was published. WJAR reported that community members contributed more than $2,000; Compter told CBS Boston the amount was just under $2,000 at the time of his interview, and Boston.com also reported a total close to $2,000.
A Statewide Membership Snapshot
Mayflower Council reported 6,734 registered members at the end of 2024, according to its organizational summary. That single-year figure provides statewide context, but it does not show whether participation has risen or fallen in recent years or establish what the trend means for an individual troop’s ability to sustain its activities.
A Lesson in Trust for the Troop
Compter said the donations would allow the troop to buy what it needs for its next adventure, according to NBC 10 News. He also connected the experience to the values Troop 32 teaches, including trustworthiness, helpfulness and friendliness.
Compter said the neighbors’ response reflected Scout spirit. Scout Maksim Compter also spoke to CBS Boston about the community’s willingness to help, describing it as a memorable part of the experience.
