Eagle Scout Collects Sports Equipment

As a 13-year-old eighth-grader from St. Emily School in Mt. Prospect, Patrick O'Brien is one of the youngest Boy Scouts from Troop 235 working towards the rank of Eagle Scout.

Patrick moved up in ranks quickly once he joined the Boy Scouts in 5th grade, with the goal of obtaining Eagle Scout rank by the time he begins his freshman year of high school this fall. Not only does an Eagle Scout need to have several requirements completed, but they also need to do a large-scale service project.

For his Eagle service project, Patrick is collecting new and used sports equipment for The Sports Shed in Vernon Hills. The Sports Shed distributes the equipment to organizations that provide sports programs for kids in need. Their mission is “to give under-resourced kids opportunities to engage in sports and physical activities that have a positive impact on their health, self-esteem, work ethic, and sense of belonging.”

“My Eagle project is close to my heart because I love sports,” says Patrick. “I have had the opportunity to play football, baseball, basketball, and volleyball for several years, and I think that everyone, poor or rich, should have the chance to play sports.”

If you have any new or gently used sports equipment to donate, you can drop them off at one of the four locations that have been set up: Mount Prospect Village Hall Community Room (50 S. Emerson St, Mt. Prospect), Players U (412 E. Business Center Dr., Mt. Prospect), St. Alphonsus Liguori Church (411 N. Wheeling Rd., Prospect Heights), or St. Emily Church (1400 E. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect). The collection will continue through February 4th.