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Eagle Scout project helps homeless shelter
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| THE EDGAR COUNTY Homeless Organization recently presented a plaque to Grayson Thomas, right, in appreciation of his efforts at the homeless shelter. Thomas took on a landscaping project at the homeless shelter as part of the requirements for earning Eagle Rank – Scouting’s highest rank. Jim Eveland, left, vice president of the ECHO board made the presentation. (Beacon-News Photo/Gary Henry) |
By GARY HENRY
Staff Writer
Inspiration can arrive at the oddest moments.
Grayson Thomas needed a service project benefiting a not-for-profit organization as part of the requirements for his Boy Scout Eagle Rank, but coming up with an idea for the project proved somewhat illusive at first.
“I was brainstorming with my dad for projects when we drove by the homeless shelter,” said Thomas. “It evolved out of that.”
Thomas approached the Edgar County Homeless Organization Board (ECHO) to learn if the board would permit him to do landscaping on the shelter property at 410 Connelly.
Jim Eveland, ECHO vice president and building & grounds chairperson, said the board recognized the opportunity to make additional improvements at the shelter with the assistance of volunteers and encouraged Thomas to proceed with his idea.
“The thing we were going for was a more welcoming entrance in the front and creating a better backyard for the families to enjoy,” said Thomas.
His approach involved more than planting a few flowers. He sought the advice of master gardner Teresa Bach, who is also the City of Paris landscaper, to help him design the landscaping layout.
Both Thomas and Bach said the project involved several in-person meetings and multiple phone calls.
“I couldn’t have done it without her,” Thomas acknowledged.
The next step was going back to the ECHO board with a scale drawing of what he proposed at the property. After the board approved the drawing, Thomas set about organizing additional support to acquire the landscaping material and corralling volunteers to handle the physical work.
With the landscaping plan in hand, Thomas, and approximately 15 volunteers, used two weekends to replace trees in the front yard, move bushes from the front to the back, plant ornamental beds in front and along the side of the building, mulch and create a stepping stone walk in the back yard.
Thomas credited advance planning for making the project move as smoothly as it did.
“After you get your material and people together, it pretty much goes like clockwork,” said Thomas.
Eveland credited Thomas’ efforts with resulting in big leap forward in ECHO’s landscaping plans.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the shelter – to make it part of the community and to make it look good,” said Eveland. “Grayson has done a great job in helping us do that.”
Thomas, a Paris High School junior, doesn’t see a landscaping career in his future although he might consider it as an adult hobby. His goal is to become a pilot.
Thomas started Scouting in kindergarten as a Tiger Cub and advanced through the ranks of Cub Scouting and Webelos and earned the Arrow of Light – Cub Scouting highest award. He is currently a Life Scout in Paris Troop 295 and his next hurdle to earning the Eagle rank is submitting the final paperwork and completing a board of review.
Part of the Eagle Rank requires earning a minimum of 21 merit badges – some required and some elective.
Thomas is most proud of his rifle and shotgun merit badges and this past summer spent five weeks at summer camp working with younger Scouts on the shooting range.
He described environmental science as the most difficult badge he has earned.
“There were so many requirements and they were big requirements,” said Thomas. ”It was fun, but it was very involved.”
Grayson Thomas needed a service project benefiting a not-for-profit organization as part of the requirements for his Boy Scout Eagle Rank, but coming up with an idea for the project proved somewhat illusive at first.
“I was brainstorming with my dad for projects when we drove by the homeless shelter,” said Thomas. “It evolved out of that.”
Thomas approached the Edgar County Homeless Organization Board (ECHO) to learn if the board would permit him to do landscaping on the shelter property at 410 Connelly.
Jim Eveland, ECHO vice president and building & grounds chairperson, said the board recognized the opportunity to make additional improvements at the shelter with the assistance of volunteers and encouraged Thomas to proceed with his idea.
“The thing we were going for was a more welcoming entrance in the front and creating a better backyard for the families to enjoy,” said Thomas.
His approach involved more than planting a few flowers. He sought the advice of master gardner Teresa Bach, who is also the City of Paris landscaper, to help him design the landscaping layout.
Both Thomas and Bach said the project involved several in-person meetings and multiple phone calls.
“I couldn’t have done it without her,” Thomas acknowledged.
The next step was going back to the ECHO board with a scale drawing of what he proposed at the property. After the board approved the drawing, Thomas set about organizing additional support to acquire the landscaping material and corralling volunteers to handle the physical work.
With the landscaping plan in hand, Thomas, and approximately 15 volunteers, used two weekends to replace trees in the front yard, move bushes from the front to the back, plant ornamental beds in front and along the side of the building, mulch and create a stepping stone walk in the back yard.
Thomas credited advance planning for making the project move as smoothly as it did.
“After you get your material and people together, it pretty much goes like clockwork,” said Thomas.
Eveland credited Thomas’ efforts with resulting in big leap forward in ECHO’s landscaping plans.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the shelter – to make it part of the community and to make it look good,” said Eveland. “Grayson has done a great job in helping us do that.”
Thomas, a Paris High School junior, doesn’t see a landscaping career in his future although he might consider it as an adult hobby. His goal is to become a pilot.
Thomas started Scouting in kindergarten as a Tiger Cub and advanced through the ranks of Cub Scouting and Webelos and earned the Arrow of Light – Cub Scouting highest award. He is currently a Life Scout in Paris Troop 295 and his next hurdle to earning the Eagle rank is submitting the final paperwork and completing a board of review.
Part of the Eagle Rank requires earning a minimum of 21 merit badges – some required and some elective.
Thomas is most proud of his rifle and shotgun merit badges and this past summer spent five weeks at summer camp working with younger Scouts on the shooting range.
He described environmental science as the most difficult badge he has earned.
“There were so many requirements and they were big requirements,” said Thomas. ”It was fun, but it was very involved.”
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| Raising community awareness | Landscaping only one of improvements at homeless shelter |
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