FORT BENNING, Ga., (Feb. 12, 2014) -- Cub Scouts from Fort Benning's Pack 27 gathered Feb. 1 for their annual Pinewood Derby.

The winner of the overall derby was Christopher Zollinger, a second-grader in the Wolf Den. He said he was happy he won the event and worked really hard on the car.

Last year, Christopher placed third in the pack, he said.

His mother, Leigh Zollinger, said this year his grandfather Gary Yates helped Christopher with his car because his father is deployed to Afghanistan and is on his way back to the U.S.

"I'm really proud of him," she said about her son. "He and his grandfather worked hard. My dad said he had big shoes to fill."

Cub Scouts is a great program, said Lt. Col. John Grantz, the committee chair for Pack 27 and also Tiger Den leader.

"When people think about Boy Scouts, they think about camping and when they think about the Cub Scouts, they think about the Pinewood Derby," he said.

The event helps boys learn how to set and achieve goals, how to use tools and allows them to bond with their fathers by working on the cars for the project, he said.

But the pack is in need of volunteers, he said.

"It's a great program but it's only as strong as its volunteers," he said.

The pack is looking for adult volunteers to help with administrative work, public relations, social media, coordinating special events for the pack such as hiking or ceremonies, as well as a new assistant cubmaster and cubmaster.

Cub Scouts transition to Boy Scouts where they learn about leadership, and this is why adults should be interested in helping with the pack, Grantz said.

"We're developing leaders in the community when they become adults," he said.

Those interested in volunteering with Pack 27 can call Grantz at 845-662-7848.