The Grand Canyon Council, BSA is proud to introduce Mr. Bill LeRoy. Bill is one of the over 3,000 dedicated volunteers that help make the Council the strong organization that it is today. Bill has worked in the Valley’s accounting community for over 40 years and is part of the Sonoran Sunset District serving first as the District Vice-chairman for Finance before taking over as the District Chairman earlier this month. Right off the bat, he’ll tell you, “I am a 65-year-old Scout, I’ve been a lot of things but I AM A SCOUT!”

Bill has a long-standing relationship with the Council. Growing up in the west Phoenix community of Maryvale, he started as a young Scout with the Theodore Roosevelt Council Troop 563, achieving the rank of Life Scout before moving onto Explorers until age 18. He is just one in a long line of family members that have experienced the Scout Life. Bill was proud to share that his father, two uncles, three brothers, a sister, nephews, his two sons, and now three of his grandsons have all been proud to don the Scout Uniform. He remembers the lessons he learned and the skills he experienced, so it was important to pass that along to his family! Bill mentions that his oldest grandson Cody is currently serving the US Army in Korea, and Cody GETS IT.

When asked why he supports the Grand Canyon Council, BSA that answer was not a shock. Bill firmly stated, “there is not a better organization in the country for developing youth. Making good decisions and understanding that the mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law”. He also said that “the mission is important especially in today’s world with all the messages competing for their time and attention”.

Serving on Eagle Boards of Review the last 4.5 years has been very personal for him. Bill told the story of serving as the emcee on his brother Chip’s Eagle Court of Honor during his Troop 563 days and his pride in presenting his brother for Scouting’s highest award. When Chip passed away six years ago, Bill came back to Scouting to actively serve on Eagle Boards in his brother’s memory.

Bill also became a part of the 1993 Society which led to his role as the Finance Vice-chairman For Sonoran Sunset District. It was there he got an idea….

“CREATE A GIVING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE OR KEEP FAMILIES IN SCOUTING THROUGH A SIMPLE, NO-COST PAYROLL DEDUCTION ELECTION THAT EVERYONE COULD AFFORD!”

He knew about the Arizona State Tax Credit program that allows folks to donate to a qualifying charitable organization such as Grand Canyon Council, BSA Outreach, LLC.. Arizonans receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on state tax and claim it on federal tax. The Program enables the Grand Canyon Council to provide outreach programs that serve minority, at-risk, special needs, refugee, foster, and economically diverse youth in our state.

From his work life, Bill also knew that payroll deduction was a simple way for scout families to contribute to BSA Outreach each payday with no effect on the donor’s net pay. Individuals or families can contribute the maximum donation ($400 single or $800 married) each year to Scouting without affecting the budget!

It is important to do a reach and get those youth that normally could not be in scouting involved. A family’s financial situation should never be a deterrent to their kids participating. Our Community can help with this, Outreach through payroll deducted Tax Credit is the answer.

Bill grew up in Maryvale. He was part of the kids that had the hand me downs, and sometimes extra expenses were not something the family could handle. He also remembers being a single dad with his younger son and thinking “how do I come up with that money”. Families should not have to feel that way, especially when it comes to helping their kids learn leadership skills and doing career exploration to build a successful future. Youth should have the opportunity to build great skills, memories, and friendships.

When reminiscing about his time in Scouting, he talked about one of his favorite memories. A weeklong backpacking trip in the Whiting Reservation. Bill mentioned just how thankful he was for the experience to learn survival and outdoor skills, along with making lifetime friendships along the way. The passion to help others is in his blood!