In 1999, the LAX Explorer chapter started holding a seasonal silent auction; at its second auction, it netted almost $10,000 -- not bad for novice auctioneers. Four days later, they enriched themselves on a higher plane by donating a $1,000 of that money, in the form of toys, gifts, and gifts certificates, to a local children's home.

Golden smiles from Customs (LAX) Explorers.

Post 2720 chose Casa Pacifica House, in Camarillo, Calif., as its recipient. Casa Pacifica is a crisis-care and residential treatment center for children ages 2 to 17. Many of Casa Pacifica's residents were removed from abusive families. Younger children generally stay at Casa Pacifica for a temporary period while their families undergo assessment and treatment. These kids will generally go back to their families or to a foster family, while older kids live there.

The members of Post 2720 were diligent in their efforts to assure a successful fundraiser. They started planning four months in advance and included a bake sale and barbecue in the day's activities. Local businesses and restaurants donated many of the auctioned items, and Customs employees and members of the local community were very generous in their participation.

The proceeds not used for Casa Pacifica will allow the Explorers to participate in law enforcement seminars and competitions around the region, activities many of the Explorers could otherwise not attend. Those activities may include the:

• Regional Explorer Conference in Pasadena, Calif., where, in August 2000, Explorers from Post 2720 captured the trophy for best overall post; and
• National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference, where explorers learn about and compete in activities like crime-scene investigation, search and arrest techniques, crime prevention, bomb-scene search, hostage negotiation, and first aid. The conference also offers seminars in juvenile justice, gangs, protecting the president, and white-collar crime.

LAX Post 2720 has set a wonderful example for other Explorers and for Customs employees. They were dedicated in the assignment to raise the funds necessary for their yearly activities, and after reaching their goal, decided to share their success with those less fortunate.

Supervisory inspector Gayle Williams is Post 2720's Explorer coordinator. Inspectors Lionel Andrade, Marna Alejandre, Stacy Dishinger, Thomas Reis, and Robert Meis, are the program's associate advisors.

Customs has sponsored the Explorer program since 1984. The Law Enforcement Explorers are a special division of the Boys Scouts of America and the Learning for Life program. Boys and girls ages 14 through 21 may join the Explorer program to get an inside look at law enforcement. The only requirements are to maintain a "C" average in school and obtain parental or guardian consent.

The U.S. Customs Law Enforcement Explorer Scholarship is presented annually to Explorers whose achievements and community efforts epitomize the law enforcement profession. The scholarships are funded by contributions from officers of the U.S. Customs Service and are dedicated to enhancing the future of law enforcement. The scholarship's goal is to assist Explorers, whose well-rounded performance in academics and other activities indicate an exceptional potential to pursue undergraduate studies in preparation for a U.S. law enforcement profession. Some of the criteria used to evaluate the scholarship are: leadership skills in Exploring, school, church, or community; academic record; extra-curricular activities; award and recognition; and essays. This year, two young men each won the $500 scholarship to be used for college tuition. Congratulations to Shamir Patel from Explorer Post 9706 in Chicago, Ill., and to Shaun Taylor Hiatt from Explorer Post 2545 in Hebron, Ky.