All Shook Up For A Good Cause

Parents, residents and The King of Rock 'n' Roll all came out to help the boys of Scout Troop 341 earn some money for this year's summer camp trip to the Tesomas Scout Camp in Rhineland, Wisc.

With the high cost of camps and the rough economy, scout master Bill Dowling said that Friday's Fundraiser at The Elks Club Chicago South Lodge 1596 in Crestwood is probably the first of many.

“We're the first troop I know of in this area to do this,” said Dowling. “All the profits from tonight's event will go toward to the camping trip, and then parents will just have to pay the difference for each child.”

The camp is $345 per child but next year's trip to Boundary Waters in Minnesota could be as much as $1000.

Dowling said attendance was lower than they had hoped with about 75 guests, but said he hoped future events would pick up. He said the only cost was food, which was provided at a discount by Clavio's Eatery from River Grove.

The Elks and Bob West, of The Bob West Elvis Tribute Show, all provided their services free of charge.

A raffle was also held for one dollar a ticket and Gacek said that over $250 dollars in prizes were donated.

Some of the the prizes included White Sox tickets, passes to the Shedd Aquarium, Sam's Club gift certificates and many others.

“Scouts have to earn their way and they've done that tonight waiting tables and serving the soft drinks with dinner,” said Dowling.

After dinner came the main event – The King performing his greatest hits, and then some.

John McConville, who works with the Tribute Show said that West knows close to the whole Elvis catalog.

“He knows almost 500 songs – if you can name it, he can probably sing it,” he said.

McCornville also said that West is down to earth for an Elvis tribute performer and holds fundraiser's dear to his heart.

“He's certainly Elvis on stage, but he's just Bob West off stage,” he said. “He does tributes for a lot of causes and likes events like the Boy Scouts because it's a little more lighthearted.”

Marci Hecht was one Elvis fan in the crowd and said she had kids in the scouts years ago, so the cause was important – but the music helped.

“I'm here to see [West] also, though,” she said. “I've seen him before and he's wonderful and such a nice man, really fantastic.”

West has been performing for 35 years – Elvis was alive when he started – and while he does private parties and corporate events, he said fundraisers are what started it all.

“I give smiles and I know it's all for a good cause,” West said. “I can't say exactly how much money I've helped raise over the years but it might be close to a million and it feels good.”

When West took the stage he didn't disappoint the crowd, bringing all the lights, rhinestones and gyrations one would expect from the King himself.

Paul Gacek is also a scout leader with a son in the troop and said the event was humbling.

“It just amazing what everyone has done for these boys tonight,” he said. “It really helps them get the full scouting experience.”

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