COUNTYWIDE : Boy Scout’s Drive Helps Flood Victims, Homeless

Sam Belote wanted to do something to help the homeless in Ventura County.

But the 14-year-old Boy Scout from Camarillo said he had no idea that the 1,000 pounds of clothing, food and blankets he gathered for the county would make such a big difference.

Nearly half of the items Sam collected from Camarillo residents were used to help the recent flood victims.

The remainder of the supplies, now in storage, will be distributed to the homeless over the next couple of months.

Without the items, the county would have been in a serious bind after the floods, officials said.

“Everyone was just wiped out of supplies,” said Vikki Smith, program administrator for the Ventura County Mental Health Emergency Shelter.

“Sam made a big difference.”

Several months ago, Sam organized the food and clothing drive as part of his efforts to become an Eagle Scout.

With the help of other members of his troop, Sam distributed flyers to 500 homes along Arneill Road urging residents to donate.

The Scouts returned two weeks later with a trailer to gather the articles and gave them to the county Department of Mental Health.

“I was trying to think of an idea that would benefit the needs of the community,” Sam said.

“I decided to do a collection drive because there are a lot of needy people out there. It feels good to help out someone who is less fortunate.”