Ransome CAT Donates Backhoe to Boy Scouts of America

Thu May 19, 2005
Agricultural Equipment Guide

Spring is a time of renewal. Even the construction industry in the Northeast gets into the act with a flurry of activity following a long, cold winter.

On Tuesday April 19, Ransome CAT celebrated the onset of spring by donating a Caterpillar 426B backhoe loader to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The company made the donation at its Whitehall, PA, facility and representatives of Ransome CAT, Eastern Industries and the Boy Scouts of American were on hand to witness the exchange.

The Boy Scouts will put the machine to good use — the Bucks County Council, the Minsi Trails Council and the Cradle of Liberty Council plan to utilize the backhoe for pavilion building, excavating, building new dining halls, road improvements, utility work and other sundry projects.

The Boy Scouts good fortune did present a logistical problem, though: how to transfer the backhoe among all three councils when they needed it. Kim Snyder, president of Eastern Industries, volunteered the solution. The machine will reside with the Minsi Trails Council, located in the Lehigh Valley, and when projects arise at the Cradle of Liberty or Bucks County Council, Eastern will transport the backhoe to the desired location, making the loader accessible to all three councils.

When asked about the value that this backhoe will provide to the Boy Scouts, director of support services of the Minsi Trails Council, Richard D. Christ, said that the donation “goes way beyond just the book value of the machine.”

Christ explained that prior to having its own backhoe, the council had to first obtain a machine and then hire a contractor to perform certain jobs. Now that the Scouts own a machine, they can simply have volunteers who are qualified operators perform these jobs instead of having to hire contractors.

Neither Ransome CAT, nor Eastern Industries are new to charitable causes. Ransome Cat is a third-generation, family owned business that first opened its doors in 1916. For 89 years, Ransome CAT has strived to be a valued, socially responsible “citizen” through its community involvement.

Of the company’s most recent charitable involvement, Vice President of Sales Jeff Speer, said, “We are very proud to be involved with positive organizations, like the Boy Scouts of America and look forward to an ongoing relationship where we can work together to improve the communities in which we conduct our business.”

With more 60 years in the construction materials and construction services business, Eastern Industries Inc. has committed itself to maintaining a cleaner, safer environment, while demonstrating that support through community volunteer efforts throughout its neighborhoods.

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and fitness training for youth. Boy Scouting, one of three membership divisions of the BSA (the others are Cub Scouting and Venturing), is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 through 17 years old, and subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law. Altogether the Bucks County Council, Minsi Trails Council and Cradle of Liberty Council currently have more 100,000 active members who serve 23 districts.

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.