Family and Youth Research and Education
Scouts from both FYRE’s chartered Troops 482(Boy) and 483(Girl) obtained their Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diving Certification off the coast of Jupiter, FL while staying at BSA Camp Tanah Keeta. FYRE’s Scouting program is led by volunteers who encourage the youth to set high goals and achieve them. This certification follow’s the Scout’s earning their PADI Basic SCUBA Diver certification in summer of 2018.
Alexis Hewett, 16, Scouts BSA Troop 483 (all-girl troop), was awarded the BSA’s highest rank of Eagle Scout among her troop, friends, and family at the Redeemer Church in Riverview, FL. She was the first female Eagle Scout within her Troop that began on February 1, 2019, when females were afforded the opportunity to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America. Lexi is a trailblazer. She attends Riverview High School, is a returning Varsity Cheerleader, is in Navy Junior ROTC, works as a lifeguard, is PADI Open Water Advanced SCUBA Diver certified, and will continue to serve in leadership roles in her troop. Alexis joins her two brothers, Nathan and Asher Hewett, and Father, Rick Hewett in obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
Family from across the country came to participate in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Alexis was presented awards from U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan, Florida Representative Michael Beltran, the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corp League, Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Riverview Chamber of Commerce, and BSA’s Timucua District. Alexis was presented with numerous congratulatory letters from former U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, U.S. Senators and Representatives, U.S. Department Secretaries, the Governors of Florida and Texas, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, University Presidents, and corporation CEOs.
The Osprey Observer reported the prestigious event.
Since 2018, the Family and Youth Researcg and Education (FYRE) Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization and charter organization of Troop 483, has served Southern Hillsborough County families. FYRE fortifies families by providing family-focused programs, resources, and education. FYRE charters Cub Scout Pack 481 (co-ed elementary school aged family program), Scouts BSA Troop 482 (all boy troop), and Scouts BSA Troop 483 (all girl troop). The units all meet on Thursday evenings at Redeemer Church on 12404 Boyette Road in Riverview so the entire family can participate, reduce the amount of weeknight meetings, and make life simpler for families. FYRE volunteers have mentored six Eagle Scout future leaders to date. For more information, visit www.TheFYRE.org.
After several years of operating as a state nonprofit serving youth and family, the federal government granted 501(c)(3) charitable tax-exempt organization status to FYRE. FYRE serves an important role in the community to fortify families and assist abused and neglected children. FYRE also charters Scouting units to teach life skills, create servant leaders, and American values.
Now FYRE can accept cash, land and vehicle titles, and estate donations and provide receipts that are fully tax-deductible for individuals and corporations. In years past, volunteers were making it all happen out of their own pockets.
Please consider supporting FYRE’s mission today by providing a fully tax-deductible donation. You can contact FYRE to volunteer or make a donation by clicking on the links or use the QR code below.
FYRE helped send six high school female athletes to the Nike Cross Country National Meet, Southeast Regional Meet in North Carolina. FYRE encourages youth to set goals, work hard, be physically active, and be part of a team. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to being resilient.
“Live like no one else today so you can live like no one else tomorrow!” says Dave Ramsey.
FYRE led a Financial Peace University (FPU) seminar over the course of 11 weeks in a small group. The FPU seminar teaches basic family finances, how to escape from debt and stay out, reach your goals, and what the Bible teaches about money management.
As a result of the seminar and hard work, several attendees were able to retire consumer debt, buy a home, resolve transportation for their family, and begin saving for the future.
Nathan Hewett and Asher Hewett, both age 14 and boarding students at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL, were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. The Scouts attend Scouts BSA Troop 482 (Boy) in Riverview, FL chartered by the FYRE Foundation. Eagle Scout is Scouting’s highest honor.
Both Eagle Scouts want to continue serving their country at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD to become commissioned officers in the Navy.
Distinguished visitors at the Eagle Scout court of honor included Florida State House Representative District 57 Mike Beltran and BSA Southern Region Area IV National Vice President of National Adventures and Greater Tampa Bay Area Council’s Vice President of Membership Bill Gugliemi (U.S. Army, Retired), and The American Legion’s Department of Florida Scouting Program Chairman Christopher Ragusa (U.S. Navy, Retired).
