About 100 people attended the Jefferson County Community for Scouting Dinner held March 27 at the Best Western in Festus.
The dinner raised more than $16,500 for the Jefferson County Boy Scouts District, said Zoran Lazic, the district director.
In addition to raising funds, the dinner was held to honor Steve Stoll, a longtime civic leader and scouting supporter, who earned the 2014 Good Scout Award.
Stoll is an Eagle Scout from Troop 425 in Festus and previously was the district chairman in Jefferson County. In 2010, he attended the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in Forest Park, after having camped there in 1960 for the 50th anniversary, according to the dinner program.
Stoll also served in the U.S. Army, was a social studies teacher at three Jefferson County schools, served five terms on the Crystal City Council, was a state representative, served two terms as a state senator, was the Festus city administrator for four years, and then was director of administration for Jefferson County before being appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to his current job as one of five members on the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates all investor-owned utilities in the state.
Dave Crump, the current assistant district commissioner for the Jefferson County Boy Scouts, said Stoll deserved to be the dinner honoree.
“He was one of the best choices we could have made,” Crump sad. “I really admire his dedication and public service. I can’t think of a scouting event he’s been invited to that he didn’t attend. He’s done a lot of good things for scouting.”
Local scouting contributions to the community, such as collecting canned goods for food pantries, also were highlighted.
Retired Fox School District Superintendent Jim Chellew and former state senator and Jefferson College President Bill McKenna chaired the dinner.
Attendees included Arnold Mayor Ron Counts, Herculaneum Mayor Bill Haggard and other local dignitaries, Lazic said.
