For years now, Boy Scouts, adult leaders and parents from Troop 334 at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo have manned the Lappert’s Ice Cream & Coffee booth at the Koloa Plantation Days Sunset Ho‘olaule‘a.
And, for years, Walter Lappert has given back to the troop for its efforts. This year, the pay-out for an afternoon’s work was over $6,000, which the troop will use to defray expenses for a planned Mainland educational trip.
For the past six years, Lappert’s Hawaii, makers of ice cream, coffee and baked goods, with headquarters in Hanapepe, has had a booth at the Ho‘olaule‘a at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Po‘ipu.
Over that period, Lappert’s has donated over $30,000 in proceeds back to the community.
“The first two years we participated, we donated all of the booth proceeds to the Sheraton Kauai to help offset their costs and make the event successful,” said Mary Pratt, vice president of Lappert’s Hawaii, Inc.
“These last four years, we’ve selected Holy Cross Boy Scout Troop 334 to be the beneficiaries. All in all, we’ve donated over $20,000 in cash, plus another $11,000 in product and employee time to the troop,” she added.
Scoutmaster Ron Blackstad said the troop is planning an educational trip to the Mainland, and the Lappert’s donations will help them accomplish this.
“Between the money we received from them last year and this year’s donation, we hope to be able to plan our excursion for next year,” said Blackstad, the troop’s scoutmaster for over 40 years.
“On behalf of Troop 334, I’d like to thank the ‘ohana at Lappert’s for their generous donations over the years,” said Blackstad. “They are greatly appreciated. Additional kudos go to the parents of the Scouts. Mahalo for your donation of time and dedication at the Lappert’s booth.”
“Both my father and grandfather (one of the originators of Troop 334) were Boy Scouts in the Holy Cross troop,” said Scout Robbie Correa. “We meet every Tuesday, and also help to maintain the Boy Scout plot of the Lihu‘e Gateway beautification project.”
Boy Scouting was part of Walter Lappert’s life, too, back in the 1930s. An Eagle Scout, Lappert said he still has the three feathers he received when he became an Eagle.
“British Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts worldwide, promised that every Boy Scout would perform a daily good deed. Therefore, I’m a fervent supporter of the Boy Scouts, and of passing Lord Baden-Powell’s admonitions on to the Kaua‘i members,” Lappert said.
He wishes the Kalaheo Scouts a safe journey to the Mainland, and hopes the trip will expand their horizons and give them a greater appreciation of their island home, he said.
Kaua‘i Boy Scout leaders are recruiting new members in September, for Cub Scout packs (ages seven to 10) and Boy Scout troops (ages 11-18).
Anyone interested in joining should contact Kaipo Kealalio, 823-8809.
Lappert’s Hawaii, Inc. was founded in Hanapepe over 20 years ago, and now has statewide, Mainland and international locations offering ice cream, coffees, and baked goods daily. For more information about Lappert’s, please call 335-6121.
