MADISON – Like hundreds of other boys, Drew Crocker has been asking his friends, family and absolute strangers to buy popcorn and other treats that Boy Scouts are selling to raise funds for their troops.

Drew is a member of Boy Scout Troop 350 in Madison. “This year, like every other year, I am selling popcorn. Boy Scout popcorn is THE BEST popcorn ever. It is not just butter popcorn, plain popcorn or the kettle kind. We have many more varieties of popcorn,” he said.

Chocolate popcorn is Drew’s personal favorite. “It is so ‘delish.’ You can just taste the amazing goodness going down your throat. This year is my first time to sell as an actual Boy Scout, because the last five years I was in the Cub Scouts,” Drew said.

Drew has found major advantages in selling the popcorn as a Boy Scout, compared to selling popcorn as a Cub Scout. “As a Boy Scout, 40 percent of my total sales goes straight into my personal scouting account. When I want to go to summer camp, a special activity or a campout with my troop, I can just use that money. My parents won’t have to pay for anything. Lucky them,” he said.

Drew’s collection goal for this year is very ambitious: $10,000. “I need as much support as I can get,” he said. “You as the community, can help me reach my goal.” Readers can contact Drew by emailing betty82402@gmail.com.

Scouts also are selling the popcorn online. To place an order, visit trails-end.com and click “Support a Scout”. Then, type the Scout’s account code.

Drew also has a compassionate promise ending his sales pitch. If he reaches his sales goal of $10,000, he will donate $1,000 to Kids Kingdom at Dublin Park.

“When I was little, my family and I used to go there, and we had a great time playing hide and seek,” Drew said. “I always looked forward to going there.”

He wants “little kids all around Madison to have the same experience I did. I hope that you can support me. Have a wonderful rest of your day,” Drew said.