Friends of Scouting Dinner
with Keynote Speaker, Jim Cantore
Save the Date: April 21, 2026
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Grand Ballroom
Jim Cantore is one of the most recognized faces in weather. Known for his live reports from severe weather events, Cantore embodies the passion and knowledge of The Weather Channel (Weather) that makes him the weather authority viewers turn to when the forecast turns dire. He has covered every major weather event of the past 30 years, including Hurricanes Katrina and Irene and Superstorm Sandy, solidifying his role and the role of The Weather Channel as the leading source for severe weather coverage. Cantore is well known for his animated, tenacious style, both in the field and in the studio. As Weather’s storm tracker, Cantore reports tirelessly before, during and after weather events, providing live reports and insights for the network. When not in the field, he covers the latest forecast and weather news on “AMHQ,” weekdays from 6 – 9 a.m. ET.
The Friends of Scouting Dinner is the Council’s primary means to raise the funds needed to support and grow Scout programs for nearly 9,100 Scouts and adult volunteers across 24 counties and 4 cities in Central Virginia. During the dinner, you will have an opportunity to make a pledge to support Scouting.
We encourage contributors to give a minimum gift of $400. However, with inflation, the cost of one Scout this year is over that amount. Increasing your gift would be greatly appreciated. Many of the attendees make generous contributions at the Eagle Society level of $1,200 or more. Eagle Society members are invited to the VIP reception preceding the dinner and will be recognized in the program. They will also be invited to our annual donor recognition event in the fall.
Contact Issac.Otero@scouting.org for more information. Please make checks payable to “Heart of Virginia Council.” Thank you for your generous support.
Double Your Impact
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees, and spouses. Matching gifts double your impact, and could help qualify you for various Donor Recognition levels. Eagle Society Sponsor Recognition begins at $1,200 in giving.
Did you know that you can make one payment or split your donation into monthly payments? A $50 monthly payment, matched by your employer, qualifies you for the $1,200 Eagle Society Sponsorship and it’s many benefits and recognitions.
Eagle Society Benefits
Members of the Eagle Society enjoy special recognition and exclusive benefits in support of the Heart of Virginia Council’s mission. These include access to the VIP reception with the featured guest speaker at the Annual Friends of Scouting Dinner, a VIP gift, and the opportunity to bring a guest to this signature event. Eagle Society members are also recognized by name in the Friends of Scouting brochure and invited to a complimentary Donor Appreciation Reception each fall at a rotating venue. In addition, members receive a distinctive Eagle Society lapel pin as a symbol of their leadership-level support.
