Wreaths have become a valuable fundraising tool for many Boy Scout troops, allowing them to raise money by offering an eye-catching product that is in demand during the holiday season. But many don’t realize Evergreen Industries and the Boy Scouts have a long history of working together. The working relationship began in the early 1960s, when a young man came up with the idea to sell wreaths in order to raise money for his Boy Scout troop.

At the time, local troops frequently worked with florists to come up with items to sell to residents. Joe Ahern’s success at selling wreaths door to door inspired him to help other scouts earn money for their own troops. Ahern approached a troop in a nearby neighborhood and told them his idea. They began selling wreaths as part of their own fundraisers and continue selling wreaths today.

PERSONAL INSPIRATION

Ahern, who learned to make wreaths from his father, created Evergreen Industries to help organizations earn money using a product that is popular with people of all types. Over the years, the company has grown to numerous troops and other organizations who rely on Evergreen for fundraisers each year. Ahern trained his children Tim and Pat Ahern, who took over the business and keep it alive today.

Each year, Evergreen Industries receives feedback from troops who were able to participate in activities they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to enjoy thanks to their wreath fundraisers. Among these events are activities that had a profound impact on the young boys participating in them. Evergreen Industries is always excited to hear these stories and feel it is a demonstration of their great product that so many troops come back year after year.

COMMITMENT TO SCOUTS

Not only was Evergreen Industries founded by a former Scout, some of Ahern’s other family members were involved in scouting. This firsthand experience with the Scouts has given Evergreen Industries an understanding of the organization that it wouldn’t otherwise have. Evergreen has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of troops and over the years, Ahern has found that those with experienced leadership often need less guidance than newer troops. For this reason, Evergreen Industries more often works directly with newer troop leaders than more experienced ones.

Evergreen Industries works to help troops as they need it, including ensuring delivery prices are adequate for their part of the country. When delivery time arrives, Evergreen Industries works to make sure each customer receives the exact product that was ordered in a timely manner. When special requests are made, troops can work directly with Evergreen to see if those requests can be fulfilled.

Over the years, Evergreen Industries has often been asked for advice on how to host a successful fundraiser. Ahern has found that the more organized a troop can be, the better. If leadership has a clear vision of what they hope to accomplish through the fundraiser, they’re usually better able to communicate that vision to everyone else in the organization. This careful planning and open communication helps ensure a fundraiser’s success.