Raising Money for Scouting, One Tin of Popcorn at a Time

This past fall, you may have seen an 11-year-old Boy Scout around town, selling popcorn to raise money for scouting. And you may have purchased some -- at your home or at Conte's, Palmer Square, Craft Cleaners and/or Wawa. If so, you are in good company.

Elian Rubin, a 6th grader at John Witherspoon Middle School, sold $17,003 worth of popcorn, raising $11,902 for local scouting and making him the top-selling scout in New Jersey and #3 in the nation.  

How did he do it, when most scouts sell between $150 and $200?  Elian's simple explanation is, "You put in the time. You get the sales."

The annual popcorn sale is the Cub & Boy Scout equivalent of the Girl Scout’s cookie sale – a fundraiser that supports local scouting youth development and community service activities.  Like their counterparts across the US and Canada, Central New Jersey boys raise money to support their Packs and Troops (ensuring those who can’t afford the dues or camping fees can still join), as well as the camps and programs of the Central NJ Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which serves over 10,000 youth in five counties.

But selling popcorn isn’t just about raising money for a good cause. Boys gain self-confidence and learn valuable business planning and presentation skills. They learn how to look people in the eye, deal with people’s concerns and explain why Scouting is good for kids and the community. And they learn about setting and achieving goals.

After making a presentation with the two other top-selling scouts in Central New Jersey last spring, Elian was inspired. Perhaps it was the competition, but Elian decided to try to match the top seller’s 2011 sales total -- $9,400.  When he passed that amount, he decided to keep going.  He sold popcorn right up until the sale closed, finishing the Sunday Hurricane Sandy hit.

"I'm lucky to live in a town where community service is important," Elian said. "Many people and businesses were a big part of my being able to sell so much popcorn. I would like to thank Peter Crowley and the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Anita Fresolone and Lora Arendt at Palmer Square, Lorrie Janick at Craft Cleaners, Lori Rabon at the Nassau Inn, and, especially, Ciro Baldino and Angela Baldino at Conte's for supporting my sale. And I really want to thank all my customers. They make such a difference to making our community a great place to live.”  

Reaching this milestone took effort and determination. Elian has asked thousands of people if they would buy popcorn to support scouting, or even just make a small donation.  “It’s not easy to sell so much popcorn," he said. "I spent a lot of time on my sale. I went out  almost every day for at least a little bit and for 4-5 hours each day on the weekends. Every bag of popcorn I sell supports scouting, so every sale is important.  It was harder once school started because there is a lot more homework in middle school than there was in elementary school."

Elian's sales technique, honed and refined with members of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, led to his success: He knows his product, why it makes a difference and what to say to a customer that doesn't like popcorn.  As his parents know, Elian doesn't get discouraged when people say no; “you just keep going,” he says. "The more you ask, the more you sell."

He has personally tried all the different varieties of popcorn he sells, including microwaveable, cheese, caramel and chocolate. (His favorites are chocolate and sour cream and cheese.)  "It helps that the popcorn is really yummy," he says. "People want to buy it not just because it supports scouting, but because it is good.  I have lots of repeat customers and people have already asked me when the sale will start next year." (August 2013, in case you were wondering.)

Prices for most products range from $8 - $22, which Elian explains, "It sounds expensive until you realize that 70% of all sales go to support scouting.  So that means that if you spend $10, you are making a $7 donation and paying $3 for the product." But some people prefer to make a donation to send popcorn to the troops--something Elian encourages, too. "The soldiers really appreciate a treat from home and said how much they liked the Kettle Corn, so I recommend people donate enough for a box of that." He collected over $2,500 in military donations last fall.

Why does he do it? “What’s so important about it is that it really helps scouting and boys who might not be able to afford to come into scouting can participate. Scouting helps boys prepare for the real world by learning useful skills and having fun. The money pays for things like Pinewood Derby, campouts, Klondike campouts (in the snow),  equipment, awards, location fees and out-of-pocket costs for scouts who can't afford them. It's really important for boys to have these opportunities.”

Already a 1st Class Scout with six merit badges, Elian's goal is to become an Eagle Scout one day.  Elian noted that "being a boy scout is a lot about service. Princeton’s Troop 43 has lots of service projects and our Eagle Scout projects are all about improving our community.  Last year I helped build stone steps on a sloping trail in Mountain Lakes and boxes to help wood ducks avoid predators in the Stony Brook.  I also volunteered to help the residents at Elm Court after Hurricane Sandy." Elian is a member of John Witherspoon Middle School’s “Do Something Club” and volunteers as a cat socializer at SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals. He is using some of the gift cards he received as prizes from the popcorn company to purchase items for the cats and dogs at SAVE.

At 11, Elian doesn't have his own Facebook account, but he has a page on his mom's account, , as well as a websiteHe also posts the trainings he has led so other scouts can watch them.

Will he sell again next year?  "Yes, for the good of scouting, I will definitely sell next year," Elian said. "Besides, selling is really fun!"