Spencer Reeves, a junior at New Canaan High School and a member of New Canaan’s Boy Scout Troop 70, has launched his Eagle Scout Project, and there is an opportunity for the whole community to get involved. Spencer is leading an awareness campaign and charitable drive for Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) of New Haven, a faith-based organization that — with the help of the State Department — coordinates the bulk of the refugee relocations into the state of Connecticut.
As of August, IRIS had relocated 200 families to Connecticut and expects that number to reach 400 by year-end. All refugees are put through an intensive vetting process that takes 3-5 years. When the refugee families come to our state, they have nothing but the clothes on their backs and one suitcase per person. Further, these families, which typically number between 4-6 persons, owe the State Department for their airfare.
People can help by donating blankets, balls, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Spencer and his fellow Scout volunteers have set up collection boxes at several locations in town at New Canaan Library, First Presbyterian Church, New Canaan United Methodist Church, St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, and the Congregational Church of New Canaan. Boxes will be out through October 23.
On Sunday, Oct. 23 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m, Spencer and other Scouts, working with the New Canaan United Nations Committee and IRIS, will jointly host a Refugee Crisis Awareness Event at New Canaan Library to celebrate United Nations Day, the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into force. IRIS Executive Director Chris George will speak.
New Canaan Boy Scout Troop 70’s project is raising awareness about the recent refugee crisis.
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