VISIT FROM A COWBOY – Former Dallas Cowboy and guest speaker at the Friends of Scouting event Everson Walls visits with Ty McLaughlin, 9, of Decatur. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

The fourth annual Friends of Scouting event was Aug. 11 at the Decatur Civic Center.

The event supports more than 13,000 Boy Scouts in the area, camps, summer programs and group activities.

Everson Walls was the guest speaker and spoke of giving. He is an organ donor and donated a kidney to teammate Ron Springs in February 2007.

Table sponsors and special guests were treated to a VIP reception and book signing with Walls to start the event.

Dinner was served, and Local Troop 121 posted the colors to start the evening.

Live auction items included a special Chef dinner, hog hunts and signed memorabilia. The silent auction included donated baskets and gifts from the community. State chairs from the Capital donated by State Rep. Phil King and Wise County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Terri Johnson were also auctioned off.

Local Scouts and troops set up demonstrations and helped throughout the night demonstrate Scout leadership and giving.

Hosts/chairs for this year’s event were Patti Gage and Johnson, and a host of volunteers and donors also supported a great cause.