An Eagle eye for bean bags

While attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is serious business, Carol Stream Boy Scout Curtis Hajec of Troop 98 brought many a smile and lots of laughter to those benefiting from his Eagle project.

He made 14 sets of the popular bean bag toss game and then donated these sets to various organizations. Two sets are even headed to Gulfport, Miss., with Carol Stream's Corpus Christi Church ministry. Another two sets made their way to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in New Jersey for their Parent Project and sets were routed to MDA's Philadelphia and Denver sites.

Other sets were donated to Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center in Wheaton; St. Vincent DePaul Senior Center and Benjamin Middle School, both in West Chicago, where Hajec attended middle school. Also, two sets went to Ronald McDonald House in Maywood and Our Savior Lutheran Church, Carol Stream, which sponsors Boy Scout Troop 98.

Fortunately for the recipients, Hajec decided to pursue this project instead of another he had in mind.

"I was playing this game with friends and thought other people would like to have these," Hajec said. "So I figured this would be a good Eagle project."

Hajec, with the help of parents, Laura and Carl, and his brother Justin, 13, was helped by his Scoutmaster Andrew Jalove, fellow Scouts and friends. They completed his project in two Saturdays in May. Some helped sew the bean bags, others cut out boards and others took care of the finishing touches.

Hajec has been involved in scouting since he was in second grade, and he claims that becoming an Eagle Scout has been his goal since he began.

"I have always wanted to be an Eagle Scout," he said.

Hajec noted that he wasn't going to stay in scouting and "not rank-up."

Although he was motivated to achieve his Eagle Scout, he credits his parents, Scoutmaster and fellow Scouts for their support and encouragement. Hajec, who will be entering his sophomore year this fall at West Chicago's Community High School, plans on continuing with his scouting career by helping the other troop members work toward the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. And he plans to continue volunteering in the community as well in the same manner since he began his scouting days.

"I want to give something back to others," he said.

In the meantime Hajec is waiting for the scout board to review his project paperwork, which should be completed by late July or early August. If they approve it, Hajec will go on to plan his court of honor making him an official Eagle Scout.

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