A devotional writer who studied business at the University of Mississippi, Colby Virtue has also worked as an account specialist for Marketing 500, Inc. An outdoorsman, he enjoys participating in activities like hunting and horseback riding. This passion for the outdoors helped Colby Virtue achieve the Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization.

As the highest achievement in the BSA organization, the Eagle Scout rank is a title a Boy Scout will hold for life, carrying special significance in higher education, business, and the community. The far-reaching impact of the rank stems from the years of hard work that go into earning it.

To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must first work his way up through the other BSA ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life. Like the Eagle designation, each of these ranks must be earned through accomplishments in several areas, including first aid, fitness, leadership, safety, citizenship, cooking, and camping. A Scout who works up to the Life rank will have accumulated 11 merit badges, signifying his achievement in 11 distinct areas. An Eagle Scout will have to earn 10 more for a total of 21.

Additional Eagle Scout requirements include service in a leadership capacity for six months and participation in a Scoutmaster conference between the Scout and Scoutmaster. Eagle Scout aspirants must also successfully develop and execute a service project that benefits the Scout’s community, his school, or a religious institution. The Scout must submit his project proposal to the project beneficiary, his Scoutmaster and project committee, and his BSA council for approval.

A Boy Scout must complete all the Eagle Scout requirements before his 18th birthday. Once completed, he presents his Eagle Scout application, complete with 6 character references, before the Eagle Scout Board of Review to ensure that all requirements have been met.

A former account worker for Marketing 500 Inc., Colby Virtue currently serves as a board member of the Kids Across America Foundation. Active with a number of charities, Colby Virtue won the Award of Excellence from the MIRA Foundation in 2011.

Dedicated to improving the quality of life for children who are blind, the MIRA Foundation provides guide dogs, dog training, and support services to individuals between the ages of 11 and 16. The organization is able to provide such services thanks to the support of donors and volunteers.

Volunteers coordinate individual events, such as wine tastings and concerts, that help MIRA raise funds for its operations. They also organize their own fundraising events and assist the organization with publicity.

Meanwhile, donors provide MIRA with monetary support either by making donations or by sponsoring a dog. Sponsorships help cover the cost of training and providing a guide dog to children. Individuals can sponsor a dog for either a year or two years, at $625 and $1,250 per month, respectively. They can also provide a half sponsorship for $2,500 per month or a full sponsorship for $5,000 per month for 12 months. Full sponsors can name the dog in honor of someone and are given an update about the children they helped after graduation.

Finally, individuals can support the MIRA Foundation by donating to either the Bob Baillie Memorial Fund or the Theo Malkamaki Memorial Fund. Donations can be made to these funds either on a one-time basis or at varying frequencies.

A former account worker for Marketing 500 Inc., Colby Virtue is currently seeking a publisher for a devotional book he authored. Outside of his professional pursuits, Colby Virtue enjoys playing lacrosse.

The first ever World Championship for lacrosse was played in Canada in 1967 as part of the country’s centennial celebration. Only four teams participated in the tournament, with the United States’ Mt. Washington club defeating Australia to win the gold medal. As a result of the tournament, the International Lacrosse Federation was formed as the governing body of the sport and the decision was made to host a world championship every four years.

There have been 12 World Championships since the inaugural tournament in 1967, and the United States has won nine times, while Canada won the other three, including the most recent event in 2014. While only two countries have won the gold medal throughout the tournament’s history, the number of countries competing has grown significantly. Thirty eight countries competed in the 2014 World Championship, and over 40 are expected to play at the 2018 World Championship in Manchester, England.

Colby Virtue is an aspiring real estate professional who most recently worked with Marketing 500 Inc. in South Carolina. Outside of work, he contributes to various nonprofit organizations, including the MIRA Foundation, where he helped train seeing-eye dogs. Colby Virtue received the organization’s Award of Excellence in 2011 for his contributions.

The MIRA Foundation works to increase equality of opportunity for people with disabilities by training service dogs. It matches people in need with well-trained dogs, who can perform services that meet their needs. Offered free of charge, these dogs help people with disabilities live full, independent lives.

In addition to services for adults, the MIRA Foundation offers assistance to children with total visual disabilities. Children who are 11 or older and in good physical health may be candidates for guide dogs. They are generally referred by their parents or rehabilitation professionals. Candidates are evaluated individually and must interact with dogs well to be considered.

Children who receive guide dogs take an intensive, 30-day training course. During these classes, students get to know their new companion and learn to complete increasingly complex tasks. As their skills improve, children eventually learn to orient themselves in new environments with their dog’s assistance and to safely explore outdoor and downtown areas.

To learn more about MIRA or support the Foundation’s valuable work, visit www.mira.ca/fr.