Hoffman Estates teen earns Eagle Scout Award

Posted January 11, 2013 7:17 pm

Submitted by Deborah Matuszczak

Boy Scout Troop 209, out of Palatine, presented Zachary Matuszczak of Hoffman Estates the prestigious Eagle Scout Award during a Court of Honor on Sunday, Jan. 6.

After volunteering several hundred hours of community service to local communities, Matuszczak, 16, a student at Fremd High School, completed his Eagle Scout project.

He chose a Creative Arts Therapy Program to benefit children. As a small child Matuszczak suffered a serious eye injury and was rushed to St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates. During his ambulance ride a paramedic gave him a small stuffed animal to take his mind off his pain.

Remembering this experience, Matuszczak decided to help other children who are traumatized or seriously ill, by donating over 208 medical therapy dolls. Matuszczak organized and coordinated the Eagle Scout project and successfully went over his goal of 200.

During the Court of Honor, Hoffman Estates Mayor William D. McLeod surprised Matuszczak by presenting him with a Proclamation award. In honor of his accomplishment, McLeod declared Jan. 7, 2013, Zachary Matuszczak Day in the village of Hoffman Estates.

In addition, Matuszczak was presented with an award from John McDermott, Sr., (retired) and John McDermott Jr. of the U.S. Marines to celebrate his achievement. Ro Matuszczak, also a retired Marine, presented the Eagle Award and Ka-Bar knife to his grandson.

Less than five percent of all Boy Scouts earn this award, which started in 1912.

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Danielle Fleckinster from St. Alexius Hospital with Zachary Matuszczak and his donation of therapy dolls. Courtesy of Deborah Matuszczak

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