What happens when you turn two friends into friendly rivals? Pure fundraising magic and $3,500 in popcorn sales in just a few hours!

Scout buddies Miles Mazer and Benjamin Stanley of Troop 10 were originally scheduled to work together at their local grocery store, selling popcorn side by side. But when another troop couldn’t staff their fundraising location, Troop 10 stepped up to cover both sites – which meant separating the dynamic duo.

“The boys were really bummed that they wouldn’t be working together,” said Amanda Stanley, Benjamin’s mother, “so, we decided to turn it into a competition!” The boys immediately said, “Game on!” and the excitement began.

What followed was four hours of friendly but fierce competition that had both boys engaging every customer with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Armed with charm, determination, and plenty of Scout spirit, they turned what could have been a simple fundraising shift into an exciting challenge.

The results? Benjamin racked an impressive $1,100 in sales during his 8AM to noon shift, while Miles came in hot with $1,130 in sales from his 9AM to 1PM shift.

“Miles beat me by only one sale, and he had the advantage of a later start when the stores are busier!” Benjamin laughed, acknowledging his friend’s slight edge in their head-to-head battle.

Miles was so energized by the competition that he couldn’t stop there. Riding the wave of excitement, he continued selling for a full eight-hour marathon shift, ultimately bringing his total to an incredible $2,360 in sales.

“It was amazing to see how the friendly competition brought out the best in both of them,” said Sarah Groves, Troop 10’s treasurer. “They were texting updates, cheering each other on, and most importantly having a blast while working towards a common goal.”

The friendly rivalry proved that sometimes the best teamwork happens when friends challenge each other to exceed their own expectations. Thanks to their competitive spirit and hard work, the duo has taken a giant leap toward funding their January ski adventure, proving that with the right attitude, even being apart can bring friends closer to their shared dreams.

For more information about Scouting in the CSRA or to learn how you can support local programs, please visit gacacouncil.org or contact Dan Rogers, Scout Executive at [email protected].