ORANGE PARK – The 12-Points Dinner for the North Florida Council for the Boys Scouts of America is one of the organization’s most important fundraisers of the year.

But the ask for money came without any reservations on Thursday, April 25, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church as nearly 100 gathered to honor two of the county’s most respected longtime servants – retired Challenge Enterprises CEO Nancy Keating and outgoing County Commissioner Mike Cella.

“These two individuals have provided exemplary service to our community, they are people with character and integrity,” said Honorary Dinner Chair, former Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Richard Knoff.

The dinner's purpose, however, was to raise money to provide safe and quality programs for as many as 10,000 children to join Scouting, provide books and uniforms, and send them to camp.

And with the help of Keating and Cella, this year’s dinner raised $37,967.

Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless introduced Keating. Before he started reading from his prepared script, many of his words seemed personal.

“The secret to success for Nancy and Challenge Enterprise is to try. And if you should fail, dust yourself off, learn from your mistakes and try again,” he said. “As Nancy says, it’s the power of people and the possibility.

“Nancy, I don’t know how you do it – to be able to stand the weight of the jewels that are in your crown. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Keating started Challenge Enterprises and worked 50 years for the organization that provides adult day training, residential services and employment opportunities for adults with different abilities. She retired on Dec. 31.

“Scouting has always been a part of Challenge Enterprise’s interests,” Keating said. “I have thousands of stories that I can probably tell you during my career, but the foundation of Scouting and church and what my parents taught me continued to cross lines. It’s all about all those 12 points of trustworthiness, kindness, obedience and reverence.

“I am grateful I have been given all the opportunities I’ve been given as a resident in Clay County to assist people and serve. I will be forever grateful to my family for guiding me down the right path. (I had) a few slips here and there, but I had powerful opportunities to live the dream of service to others.”

Scotty Taylor introduced his old friend, the man Cella dubbed “Mayor of Middleburg” years ago. He laughed that Cella offered to be his campaign manager for a position that didn’t exist and that residents still ask to meet with him at City Hall to discuss issues in the town. There is no City Hall, and the area is unincorporated.

Cella has served on the BCC since 2016, serving two terms as Chairman, and has been the Chairman of the Tourism Development Council for the past two years. He’s also an Eagle Scout.

“I’m reminded of the countless lessons learned from the earliest days of Cub Scouts to the pinnacle of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout,” Cella said. “Believe it or not, I didn’t realize what Eagle Scout meant until I was an adult, much longer after I was awarded the badge. Boy Scouts instilled the values that have carried me through adult life. I discovered the importance of leading by example, inspiring others and fostering teamwork. Scouting told me the value of self-sufficiency and the power of collaboration in achieving common goals.

 So, as we celebrate tonight, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of Scouting and the mission of building character and instilling values in the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential and make a meaningful impact on the world around them.”

Previous winners include Judge William Wilkes, Wendell Davis, Florida Sen. Rob Bradley, Stephanie Kopelouses, Virginia Hall Russ Medonegal, Gayward Hendry, Jimmy Weeks, Sheriff Michelle Cook and Florida Rep. Travis Cummings.