Igniting the Spark of Volunteerism Through Mentorship
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By StoryStudio on April 21, 2025
As members of one of Houston’s strongest band of 10,000+ volunteers, Scouting America Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) kicks off its “Be The Spark” initiative this month to ignite adult volunteerism.
The luckiest of us have been bolstered in our lives by someone who saw our potential and went above-and-beyond the requirement to mentor us. Our community benefits every day from the good Samaritans who volunteer their time to lend a helping hand. Those who lend their talents to youth are among the most cherished of volunteers. Whether we see them or not, volunteers help mold our youth in positive ways in every walk of life, in our schools, places of worship, sports, hospitals, neighborhoods, parks, and art spaces. This story highlights the immeasurable value of volunteerism to our society and profiles two lifelong volunteers’ commitments to Greater Houston’s youth.
With widespread social distancing policies in place throughout 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 brought a sharp decline in volunteerism. In fact, only 23% of Americans 16 years or older volunteered through an organization during those years, which deeply affected society’s nonprofits who depend heavily on volunteers to meet their missions. With volunteerism’s economic value in 2023 at $167.2 billion, the vital financial contribution of the generosity of volunteers is apparent.
To reinvigorate this societal and individual need, SHAC is kicking off its “Be The Spark” initiative. In Scouting, "the spark" refers to a single moment or event that awakens a young person's passion for Scouting that can last a lifetime and even define it. That spark can be the result of shared explorations in nature, earning a merit badge through resolute service, or receiving encouraging words from a volunteer. In fact, volunteering does not need to be a huge commitment–just one hour a month or one hour a week can have a big impact on the next generation. SHAC strives to rebuild the foundation of service that defines who we are and raise volunteerism. As volunteer Scout leaders are the cornerstone for guidance of young children growing into adulthood, our story profiles two leaders who changed the trajectory of hundreds of young people’s lives over the past combined 65 years.
“Be The Spark” — Scouting’s Response to the Decline in Volunteerism
in Scouting: Amidst engaging with friends, nature, and survival skills, Scouting is about “changing your ability to lead and to make a difference in your community. Getting to be an Eagle Scout means that you spent your formative years as a youth having a lot of fun, developing many friendships that may not seem important at that moment…but are going to make a big difference in your future.”
Mr. Jellins spent time as a Cub Scout in the 1960s, and a brief time as a Boy Scout in Atlanta, until the lack of adult leaders caused the program to cease. What Jellins missed as a child, he made up for in service during his adult life, declaring a lifelong commitment to young people: “I will always be their Scoutmaster,” is Mr. Jellins’ pledge to his Scouts. He pledged to mentor each of them as they strived to develop into the leaders they were destined to be. To honor his lifelong commitment to mentoring young African American people toward character, service, and skill-building, the late Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston City Council in 2018 proclaimed November 27th “Lionel Jellins Day.” Mr. Jellins’ volunteerism legacy is seen in the many Scouts he’s empowered to become responsible community members.
Lionel Jellins:
Scoutmaster for Life
A Scout volunteer since 1978, the last 20 years as Scoutmaster, Lionel Jellins is responsible for guiding 45 young people to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest level of Scouting. During this time, he has served Scouts in each of the communities in which he lived, including 25 years leading Scouting Programs in the Third Ward community in southwest Houston. Mr. Jellins reflects on the character development that comes throughout a child’s time
Mr. Jellins and Dr. Jackson are just two among thousands of lifelong volunteers dedicated to empowering youth through Scouting America. As we all strive to be the spark that ignites a flame in the lives of others, Scouting America is encouraging community members to follow the path of these Scoutmasters and, as Dr. Jackson put it, to “touch someone’s life in a way that’s going to make a difference.” The Sam Houston Area Council encourages adults to give back to their communities by mentoring youth and embodying the spirit of “Be The Spark.”
For more information about the "Be The Spark" campaign, please visit igniteafutureleader.org.
Be The Spark
There’s nowhere Scouting won’t take you.
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Sponsored by Sam Houston Area Council
David Jackson:
Principal by Day, Scout Volunteer by Weekend
Another example of a dedicated and passionate volunteer is Dr. David Jackson, a former principal in the Houston Independent School District and a volunteer with SHAC for 25 years. Dr. Jackson is the current chairperson of SHAC’s ScoutReach program, which integrates Scouting into local
schools to ensure that all students, irrespective of socioeconomic status, have access to Scouting. Dr. Jackson asserts that Scouting is "an excellent opportunity to help shape, mold, and develop the ideal character traits that will promote strong leadership in the community and foster a mindset of civil service."
In the spirit of giving back through Scouting, Dr. Jackson recalls a significant moment when he positively impacted the life of a young man: "I had the opportunity to assist a troubled young man who was very intelligent and had great potential but was on a dangerous path involving gangs. By developing and nurturing a relationship with him over the years, we were able to steer him away from gang involvement, get him back on track, and support him through college to achieve not only a bachelor's degree but also a master's degree. This young man is now an emergency room physician in Mobile, Alabama, and is giving back in ways that benefited him as a youth."
Everyday Sparks in Scouting
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Mathew, Lionel, and Daniel Jellins
Dr. David Jackson
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A Scout volunteer since 1978, the last 20 years as Scoutmaster, Lionel Jellins is responsible for guiding 45 young people to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest level of Scouting. During this time, he has served Scouts in each of the communities in which he lived, including 25 years leading Scouting Programs in the Third Ward community in southwest Houston. Mr. Jellins reflects on the character development that comes throughout a child’s time in Scouting: Amidst engaging with friends, nature, and survival skills, Scouting is about “changing your ability to lead and to make a difference in your community. Getting to be an Eagle Scout means that you spent your formative years as a youth having a lot of fun, developing many friendships that may not seem important at that moment…but are going to make a big difference in your future.”
Mr. Jellins spent time as a Cub Scout in the 1960s, and a brief time as a Boy Scout in Atlanta, until the lack of adult leaders caused the program to cease. What Jellins missed as a child, he made up for in service during his adult life, declaring a lifelong commitment to young people: “I will always be their Scoutmaster,” is Mr. Jellins’ pledge to his Scouts. He pledged to mentor each of them as they strived to develop into the leaders they were destined to be. To honor his lifelong commitment to mentoring young African American people toward character, service, and skill-building, the late Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston City Council in 2018 proclaimed November 27th “Lionel Jellins Day.” Mr. Jellins’ volunteerism legacy is seen in the many Scouts he’s empowered to become responsible community members.
Dr. David Jackson
David Jackson:
Principal by Day, Scout Volunteer by Weekend