Eagle Scouts have been a part of American life for a long time. Only a very small percentage of the young people who begin scouting actually complete the Eagle level. Here at PHHS, we have had more than one Eagle Scout complete a project in recent years.
In 2002, Scott Gauf’s Eagle Scout project was building three Purple Martin Houses and two bat houses, here on the PHHS campus. His brother, Greg Gauf’s project in 2005 was replacing the sidewalk in the front entrance of the school. In 2006, Oakley Schultz’s Eagle project included the blood drive at Mt. Hawley church and Stephen Carpenter (Woodruff – but also part of Troop 21) involved building a hiking trail near his church. This year sophomore Eric Markovich, currently a Life Scout in Troop 21, is working towards his Eagle by running a collection drive to provide needed supplies for the men and women serving in our armed forces overseas.
Eric says that the drive is intended for military personnel at the Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, “who have been stripped of all their gear and are left with only basic hospital gowns. They are in very real need of these materials. The children at the newly constructed school in the Anbar Province are also in need. Many of them have never been to school before and would be delighted to receive something as simple as a new bookbag, or even a little stuffed animal.” Sometimes we need to remember that there are others in desperate need of the things we take for granted.
Not only is Eric working on this project through PHHS and PHGS, but he is also coordinating it through Christ Lutheran Church, Mt. Hawley Community Church, and several local businesses. His scout troop, Troop 21, the PHHS Key Club, Christ Lutheran Youth Group, and the Mt. Hawley Youth Group are all among the supporters of this project. The project will run from April 28, through May 23, and materials can be donated here at PHHS in the office. Best of luck to Eric in his project! Let’s all pull together to support our military folks, and children in need!
PROJECT DETAILS
The soldiers and children in Baghdad, Iraq are in need of supplies. These items include, but are not limited to:
· T-shirts (white or dark colors such as brown, tan, forest green, etc.)
· Underwear
· Shorts (swimming or running type)
· Socks
· Candy (no chocolate)
· Reading materials: magazines, books, newspapers, etc.
· Music CD’s
· DVD movies
· Handheld games
· Cards
· Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, body washes, etc.)
· Word puzzles (crossword, sudoku, word search, etc.)
· Slippers
ALL CLOTHING SIZES SHOULD BE M,L, OR XL
Also, Ensign Burrow asked for items for the Iraqi Goodwill Mission including:
· Children’s clothes (age 2 and up)
· Children’s shoes, sandals, etc.
· Soccer balls
· Children’s hygiene products (baby powders, lotions, etc.)
· Stuffed animals
· School supplies: pens, pencils, notebooks, book bags
