Weyauwega troop honoring late friend
By Greg Seubert
A local Boy Scout troop wants to put musical instruments in the hands of kids and honor a late friend at the same time.
Troop 621 of Weyauwega will be at the Howard Quimby Scout House on Ann Street in Weyauwega from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, May 30, to collect gently used instruments and monetary donations.
Troop member Ryan Ames, 16, who passed away in December 2020. At the time, he was a Weyauwega-Fremont High School junior and working on his Eagle Scout project of collecting instruments and donations for the Weyauwega-Fremont School District to be used for families that couldn’t afford to rent or purchase instruments.
The troop decided to continue Ames’ project to make his vision a reality.
“Ryan wanted to combine his love of music and his love of scouting,” troop leader DeAnna Volz said. “He wanted to create a program that would refurbish used instruments and create funds for purchasing new instruments for interested students despite their family’s ability to pay.
“He believed every student should have the opportunity to play an instrument, experience being a part of the Weyauwega-Fremont school band and share the fun, friendships and skills that were so important to him,” she added.
The Weyauwega-Fremont High School band will also perform at noon at the Scout House after Memorial Day events.
Besides collecting instruments and donations May 30, the troop will also sell hamburgers and brats and have a basket raffle.
Anyone interested in donating instruments, money or raffle items can contact Volz at 920-268-8926.