Life Scout helping the Troops by holding a Care Package Drive on April 19th at Jewel in Palatine
Boy Scout Troop 209 out of Palatine, will be holding a Care Package Drive for the troops in Iraq. Troop 209 consists of over 100 active Scouts, and has been successfully lead for several years by Scoutmaster, Kevin Piasecki. The whole troop has been asked to participate in this Eagle Scout Project.
Brandon, the 15 year honor roll student has been involved in Scouting since he joined as a Cub Scout in first grade and has worked is way up to Life Scout. Less than 5% of Scouts achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout Rank. In addition to his community service activities, Brandon is involved with Fremd's football, wrestling and Lacrosse team. He is also a member of a paintball team in East Dundee.
Brandon decided to honor the troops and his Grandfather, Romuald Matuszczak, who served as a Marine in WWII. He has dedicated his project to the men and women who are serving our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Reaching out to his community for help was the first thing that came to mind when Brandon decided to do his project. He knew he could count on his former teachers from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School to lend a hand. His former 1st grade teacher Mrs. Landerman and former 5th grade teacher Mrs. Kennedy who were eager to help by collecting items and handwritten letters. Brandon has contacted other schools and organizations to help reach his goal of collecting several hundred letters.
To go above and beyond, Brandon decided he would also get involved in helping the Marines with their prayer reqests. He contacted several local churches and hopes to achieve 1,250 prayer reqests.
The last phase of Brandon's project is to provide handmade skull caps to the injured military men and women who sustained TBI.
To help achieve his Eagle Scout Rank, the local Jewel has graciously offered to help provide a collection donation site.
While customers are shopping at Jewel, Scouts will be providing "wish lists" of the most needed items to the customers. A donation jar will also be provided if any customers would like to help with the shipping charges.
As Brandon quickly learned, most of our troops are without facilities for showering and unfortunately, taking care of personal hygiene in many locations is non-existent. Brandon's goal is to collect over 1000 travel size items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors and eye drops for the troops.
The care package donation drive will be held on Saturday, April 19th at Jewel located on 45 S. Plum Grove Road in Palatine from Noon- 4:00 p.m. Please stop by and support our troops by making a contribution to the Care Package Program.