Igniting a Passion to Volunteer

It is never too early to let children find ways to give back. That’s the belief of mom-of-four and Boy Scout troop leader Erin Beckwith, whose troop felt compelled to help in the aftermath of the devastating Palisades fire. “I wanted these kids to know they can help, even though they are young,” said Erin.

And help they did. The group of second-grade boys from The Kinkaid School, the 2025 Wolf Den of Cub Scout Pack 695, organized a fun run as their service project to raise money for families affected by the wildfires. Pack 695 has 77 kids from Kinkaid, from first to fifth grade, with each grade level called a den. The second-grade troop led an effort to help the victims of the devastating fires.

Pack 695 has been part of The Kinkaid School community for more than 35 years, with boys from first through fifth grade participating. The Wolf Den has 19 second-grade boys including Bennett Beckwith, Henry Williams, Greg Pappas, Andy Thomison, Sterling Gray, Jack Milam, Wells Milam, Aiden Ayala, Aydin Naqvi, Max Mertz, William Currie, Luke Plachy, Finn Koster, Augie Fangman, Benjamin Simpson, Walter Easterly, Jackson Dewhurst, Eric Dean, and Mac English. The Wolf Den moms are Erin Beckwith, Virginia Williams, and Allison Thomison.

The boys chose to raise funds for the Palisades after seeing the wildfires on the news. “I noticed my kids started coming home from school talking about the wildfires in California,” Erin said. “They were hearing about it from friends and teachers, and they were concerned. I could tell they were worried about all the families whose homes and communities were just, suddenly, gone.”

As part of the Cub Scouts program, dens are encouraged to complete service projects each year. Erin and the other moms saw this as an opportunity not only to meet that requirement but also to teach something deeper about volunteer service. “I knew that if my kids were worried about it, other kids would be worried about it, and instead of just feeling worried, we decided to empower them to do something,” she said. “I wanted them to know that if you are moved by something, you can help. And you can help, even if you are only 8 years old.”

Erin did some research to help identify a reputable local nonprofit to ensure their donations would go directly to support recovery. “When I was trying to figure out a good organization to send the money to [in Palisades], I immediately thought of Miles Partain. I know his family through my sister,” said Erin. “Miles played beach volleyball in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA. He is very active on social media and when the fires were blazing through the Palisades, he was going live showing his followers the destruction. His childhood home burned down in the fires.” Miles directed the troop to Palisades Forever, a nonprofit founded by longtime residents of the Pacific Palisades community to help rebuild and restore institutions affected by the fires.

Their plan moved into action, and what began as a small service project for their troop quickly grew into something much bigger. They organized a fun run at the school’s track to raise money for the victims of the fire. In the weeks leading up to the event, each scout collected pledge donations from family and friends. They knocked on doors, posted on social media, and talked to anyone they could about contributing.

ON TRACK Siblings Henry and Annie Williams ran side by side in the troop's fundraiser for Palisades Forever, a California-based nonprofit supporting victims of the wildfire. Together, the troop completed 158 laps and raised $10,350 – far surpassing their original goal of $1,000.

On the day of the fun run, families gathered at the school track as music played over the loudspeakers. “[The music] filled the entire stadium,” said Erin. The boys warmed up, then lined up at the starting line. The lower school nurse announced, “Runners, take your mark!” and Erin sounded the starting gun. Off they went. A countdown on the football scoreboard tracked their laps. They had 30 minutes to run as many laps as possible.

“There were a couple of parents that stepped in to run with their sons, and some siblings,” said Erin. In the end, the boys – just eight years old – ran 158 laps, totaling more than 39 miles.

Their initial goal had been modest. “Our den goal was $1,000,” said Erin. “When we collected all the donations that the boys raised, it was $10,350, which surpassed our goal by a landslide.”

The boys took away valuable lessons. “We may be little, but we are mighty with helping,” said troop member Aydin Naqvi.

“We were excited to run, but most importantly to help people in need,” said troop member Jack Milam. “It was running and helping people. I loved it,” added Eric Dean.

“It was truly inspiring to see the boys take complete ownership of the entire process,” said troop mom Virginia Williams. “From brainstorming fundraising ideas, setting personal goals, to choosing whom to support with the funds raised, they were incredibly dedicated. Also, witnessing the positive impact of social media was particularly moving.” Virginia said some boys and their parents used social media to promote the fun run, reaching beyond their immediate circle – and they had a great response.

“I learned that we should be more grateful for what we have,” said troop member Henry Williams.

The success of the fun run is a powerful reminder that kids do not have to wait until they grow up to have influence. The values instilled through programs like Cub Scouts – leadership, empathy, and responsibility – can begin at any age.

“I think we did the right thing doing it. I hope it makes a big difference in California,” said troop member Augie Fangman.

“I think what they learned is that they do not have to just watch bad things happen and feel sad,” said Erin. “They can be part of the solution. Even if they are in second grade.”

RUNNING TOGETHER Some of the troop members’ parents and siblings joined in to run with the Scouts during the troop’s fundraiser for Palisades Forever.

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston for Kids

Teaching kids that they have the power to make a difference develops a lifelong habit of service. And as the Wolf Den of Pack 695 has shown, it is never too early to start and there is no amount too small to help someone in need. Summer is a good time to encourage kids to serve in the community. Some volunteer opportunities are limited to kids 10 and older, but here are several organizations that welcome younger children (with parent supervision):

• Little Lights Houston: This nonprofit offers weekend volunteer opportunities for families to help prepare and deliver weekend food bags to children experiencing food insecurity. littlelightshouston.org

• Kids’ Meals Houston: Children under 10 can help decorate lunch bags at home or with a school group, and families can volunteer together to pack meals. kidsmealshouston.org

• Houston Food Bank: The minimum volunteer age at the food bank’s main warehouse is 6 (with an adult), and they offer family-friendly opportunities throughout the year. houstonfoodbank.org

• Ronald McDonald House Houston: Families can collect needed items or host donation drives for children and families staying at RMH. rmhhouston.org

• Houston SPCA: While direct animal volunteering is limited to those 16 and older, kids can help from home by organizing donation drives or collecting towels, toys, and pet food. houstonspca.org