Wauconda Scout follows in brothers' footsteps by helping Marklund

Working in assembly line fashion, Boy Scout Bryan John Carr, 17, of Troop 90 in Wauconda enlisted the help of other scouts, troop leaders and parents to build double-sided benches for a peace garden at Marklund's children's homes in Bloomingdale and Geneva as part of his Eagle Scout project.

About 20 volunteers spent a recent Saturday constructing the six wooden benches using saws, hammers and other power tools at a barn in Wauconda.

"I think they're doing a great job," said Carr. " Without them this would not get done. I really needed their help."

Marklund assists infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities with nursing care and educational programs. The organization was founded in 1954 by nurse Claire Haverkampf in Bloomingdale.

Carr's project will allow family members to bring their children out to the gardens and sit with them on the benches.

Bryan will be the third son of the Carr family to earn the Eagle Scout designation from the Boy Scouts, and all of the boys have crafted Eagle projects for Marklund. The idea originated from an experience with their father, Tom, who volunteered with the Special Olympics and Marklund.

This spawned the first son, Eric, 23, to build benches that were accessible to disabled people. Later, the second son, Casey, 21, built cabinets for storage at Marklund.

"He (Bryan) did an excellent job," replied Diana Book, administrator for facility services at Marklund. "The benches will be placed around all of our facilities and used by our clients, families and staff members. We appreciate the volunteer work and donations that has been given by all of the members of the Carr family."