Page 66 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2016

GIVING BACK prepared. for life.
BSA troop 301 at Camp Tiak
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Jonathan Allen
Experiences inspired local businessman, Jonathan Allen
Many successful people look back on their lives and recall the experience that inspired them in their careers. For Jonathan Allen of Allen Toyota, his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America did just that.
Allen joined the Boy Scouts, an organization that promotes service, community engagement and leadership development in young men, as a child and followed through the program in its entirety. Through his membership, he was introduced to Scout Masters Martin Goldin, Barry Youngblood and John Kelley. “These men had a huge impact on my life,” said Allen.
Through their wisdom and guidance, Allen progressed through the ranks of Boy Scouts, ultimately becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest and most prestigious rank within the organization. “It’s a big accomplishment, and it taught me to finish what I start,” Allen said. “Scouts has done
so much for me. It makes you resourceful, teaches you to appreciate and respect nature, to be efficient and to do more with less.” Allen now uses these same skills in his business practices.
To reach the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouts must earn 21 merit badges in areas such as forestry and health and wellness. “We were also responsible for creating a community service project that the entire troop would participate in,” said Allen. “My project was to renovate parts of Trinity United Methodist Church. Another Eagle Scout in my group organized for our troop to construct eagle nests in De Soto National Forest.”
Following these accomplishments, Scouts are then subject to review by a board of local business owners and former Eagle Scouts. Allen now serves on some of these local review boards.
As a way of giving back to the organization that did so much for him, Allen joined Friends of Scouting, a volunteer group that exists to promote local Boy Scout troops. “We hold fundraisers and provide meeting spaces for troops
to use when they need it,” he said. “Numerous Cub Scout troops use our showroom for pinewood derby races.”
He refers to scouting as a defining point that challenged his thinking. “This organization has done so much to make me who I am today, and I’m willing to do anything I can to help them in return,” he added.
Jonathan Allen
66 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2016 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net