San Antonio, Texas — May 10, 2025
On a bright Saturday morning, Cub Scout Pack 502 from Vineyard Ranch Elementary put the Scout slogan “Do a Good Turn Daily” into action—teaming up with South Texas Blood & Tissue and the brand-new Chick-fil-A Vineyard to host a community blood drive. What began with a modest target of 14 units ended in an inspiring 24 units collected—enough to help as many as 72 patients across San Antonio and the surrounding region.
A Critical Need Met With Community Spirit
According to South Texas Blood & Tissue, only about 62 percent of Americans are eligible to donate, and fewer than 5 percent of those eligible actually do. Local hospitals rely on consistent donations to support premature babies, cancer patients, and emergency trauma victims.
Sweet (and Savory) Incentives
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HEB gift cards ranging from $10–$150, courtesy of South Texas Blood & Tissue
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A free dessert from Chick-fil-A Vineyard (a chocolate chunk cookie never tasted so good after donating!)
Impact Beyond One Day
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24 units collected (171 % of goal)
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Up to 72 lives potentially saved or improved
How You Can Help
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Donate blood. Review basic eligibility—good general health, at least 110 lbs, and 17 years old (16 with parental consent). Have questions? Visit https://donor.southtexasblood.org
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Host your own drive. Scout units, companies, and faith groups can schedule the STB&T mobile bus by emailing Kelli.Bushacker@southtexasblood.org
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Join Scouting. Give your child the chance to serve others, learn leadership, and have fun outdoors. Find a pack, troop, or crew at AlamoAreaScouting.org
A Heartfelt Thank-You
Scouting America’s Alamo Area Council, South Texas Blood & Tissue, Chick-fil-A Vineyard, and every selfless donor extend sincere gratitude to our community. By rolling up sleeves and working together, we proved once again that “Good Turns”—no matter their size—carry a life-changing impact.
Stay tuned for Pack 502’s next adventure in service, and until then, keep the momentum going—schedule your blood donation today!
Thanks to a generous donation from the Hirsch Family Fund, the beloved in-ground pool at McGimsey is being resurfaced and undergoing much-needed repairs, just in time for this year’s summer camp season. This improvement is more than just a facelift — it’s the foundation for something bigger.
The pool represents the first step in a legacy of generosity and vision. And thanks to Ella, Benjamin, that legacy starts this summer — with splashes, smiles, and a whole lot of fun.
On February 4th, 2024, Meara P. of Troop 361 arranged a conservation project for the removal of Johnson grass at McAllister Park through San Antonio Parks & Recreation. Johnson grass, also known as Sorghum halepense, is an invasive grass species from Asia and Northern Africa and reproduces and spreads easily with its roots (rhizomes) and seeds. It adapts in different soils and grows in a variety of places, including cultivated fields, disturbed soils, irrigated ditches, stream bottoms, arable lands, orchards, open wasted grounds, roadsides, pastures, and irrigated canals. Johnson grass is invasive because it creates a monoculture, alters the diversity of an area, affects the ecosystem and animals that rely on diverse grass cultures, and accumulates nitrates to toxic levels and prussic acid causing stress results. In order to remove Johnson grass, the grass must be cut with removal of the seed heads from each plant in order to prevent the plant from growing and spreading, and the seed heads are disposed of into a garbage bag. For approximately two hours, Troop 361 worked on extracting Johnson grass around McAllister Park. San Antonio Parks & Recreation offers several opportunities throughout the year for community volunteers to help with the removal of Johnson grass and will allow Scout troops to schedule their own conservation efforts. More information about conservation volunteer opportunities can be found at https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/Parks/Volunteer.
