Elgin Eagle Scout's project benefits Streamwood church

Michael Gulik of Elgin says he's long appreciated the care shown his family by the people of St. John's Catholic Church in Streamwood when his father, Chris, sustained a spinal cord injury that left him wheelchair bound.

That gratitude recently took the form of erecting a monument sign, retaining wall, and directional signage for the parish — an effort he undertook as part of his Eagle Scout project.

For Gulik, earning the Eagle Scout award was a continuation of a Scouting journey that began as a Cub Scout when he was 8 years old.

He says the sign construction was just a natural progression of working with his hands that included playing with Legos and K'NEX toys as a child to working with tools under his father's guidance as a teen.

Gulik, who was a Bartlett resident at the time of his father's accident in 2002, attended St. John's school in Streamwood. He says the sign project was suggested to him by Larry Rybicki, business manager at St. John's, when he asked how he might help the church.

The undertaking was really a team effort, explains Gulik. His fellow Scouts in Troop 26, sponsored by United Immanuel Church of Christ in Bartlett, helped him with a spaghetti dinner held at the church. He also credits G & I Electric, Qtsigns and Sharon Caddigan at the village of Streamwood with their assistance.

Gulik says he logged more than 200 hours on the entire effort.

“I'll never forget the kindness this church showed our family in a time of real need,” says Gulik, who is also active on the Central District 301 High School cross country team and track team, where he qualified for the state finals.

“This sign project is just a way of saying thanks to some great people.”