Free Scout uniforms for kids in need available at Waterville Goodwill Sept. 27

Goodwill Northern New England and The Kennebec Valley Uniform Bank plan to host a uniform drive from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Waterville Goodwill store.

The drive is open to any child who wants to become a Scout.

A new Scouting uniform costs about $75, a cost which prevents many children from being able to Scout, according to a news release from Olivia Grant with Goodwill Northern New England.

Any youth who needs a scouting uniform can pick one up at the drive. Anyone who has one to spare can donate it to the store ahead of time.

The Kennebec Valley Uniform Bank and Goodwill NNE have outfitted more than 1,200 kids in Maine who needed uniforms through these drives. All year, the Waterville Goodwill store sets aside donated uniforms. The uniform bank then washes and rips off every award badge by hand.

Chris Bernier, the chief organizer of The Kennebec Valley Uniform Bank, started the uniform bank by serving Waterville kids, but now he gets calls from all over the state asking to help outfit Scouts in need.

“So far we have served over three dozen communities in Maine with some traveling as far as Topsham, Pittsfield, Bath and Bangor,” he said. “There are many people who are deserving who can’t afford a uniform for their child, and that’s what this is about. It’s about changing the future, changing the next generation, helping kids be better than they can be and building a better citizen.”

Bernier has about 300 uniforms that Goodwill NNE collected for the cause in storage, ready for Scouts. The only requirement for children to get a free uniform is that they be a Scout, or register to become one. The program allows Scouts to trade their uniforms when they outgrow them or change ranks. When they give back an old uniform, Bernier will give them a new one.

The drive will also have books, hats, belts, pants, insignia and other Scouting items.

Any Scout hoping to earn a new patch can bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to the Pleasant Street Methodist Church Food Bank in Waterville. High-need items include canned vegetables, canned ravioli and Spaghetti-O’s, granola bars and condiments. Children can earn a “Scouting For Food” patch through this volunteerism.

Parents must bring their Scout’s registration form. Scouts will also be able to register to scout at Goodwill during the drive.

For more information, call Bernier at 207-660-1599.