By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Cub Scout Pack 714 in Gardendale needs some help.

The pack is working on a service project to help sick youngsters at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham by collecting books and movies.

They learned of the need when one of the cubs, John Dennis, was a patient there recently.

“The children desperately need entertainment on each floor and in the Harbor Place where the children go for recreation during long stays,” wrote John’s mother, Ruth Dennis, in an email.

The Cub Scouts have set up a drop-box at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church for used movies and books, new or used board games, computer games and game-system games.

“Through his pain, (John) still thinks about being a scout,” said Mechell Malone, whose nephew David Steevley is in the scout pack. “With everything the family is going through, Ruth is thinking about how to help the entire hospital of children. I think this is a

true testament of the Scout spirit.”

The box will remain at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC through the first week of November.