Archives for May 2023

Zane Javeri of Troop 345 in the George Mason District is an avid tennis player. He shared “I have been playing tennis since I was 6 years old and I am on the James Madison High School varsity tennis team.  I joined Cub Scouts in first grade and am now working on my  Eagle Scout Project and Distinguished Conservation Service Award (DCSA) project.  My Eagle Scout Project recycling used tennis balls is creating waves in the community.”He partnered with Fairfax Racquet Club, neighborhood tennis clubs, schools, and parks to collect used tennis balls and transport them to a recycling center.

Zane spotted a chance to reuse old tennis balls in addition to reducing waste. Zane explained, “My project is a huge success, with over 10,000 tennis balls collected and recycled. The used tennis balls are sent to Recycle Balls in Vermont and used for a variety of purposes, such as playground surfaces, sports surfaces, and pet toys. Recycle Balls is a non-profit organization in Vermont that specializes in recycling tennis balls.  They have recycled over 10 million balls since 2016. Each tennis ball takes 400 years to decompose and millions of tennis balls are disposed of in landfills each year”. This Eagle Scout project not only reduced waste but also made a positive impact on the environment by keeping used tennis balls out of landfills.  Zane educated over 300 individuals about recycling tennis balls.

The Scout BSAs of America’s Distinguished Conservation Service Award program honors scouts who carry out significant conservation projects. The Distinguished Conservation Service Award project requirements are more rigorous than a  Scout BSA Eagle Award project.  To earn the award, Scouts must complete two Eagle Scout environmentally related projects.  It requires the Scout to conduct in depth research of a conservation issue; determine a solution;  write a report; plan, execute and lead a project; educate the community outreach; write final project reports; present their projects and findings before a conservation committee; and earn 7 conservation type merit badges.

This Eagle Scout Project, which is centered on recycling tennis balls is a prime example of the positive environmental impact that can be made through the Distinguished Conservation Service Award program. It demonstrates the leadership skills and environmental stewardship that are at the core of the program’s mission. Zane hopes that his Eagle Scout Project makes a lasting impact on the community and serves as a model for others to follow.

 

In a remarkable display of compassion and initiative, Joe Markland, a dedicated member of Troop 503, in the National Capital Area Council, based out of El Salvador, undertook an extraordinary Eagle Scout project that has touched the lives of countless families in his community. With a heartwarming mission to provide comfort during times of unimaginable loss, Joe built and donated ten meticulously crafted coffins for infants to local hospitals. This act of kindness is not only a testament to Joe’s character but also a significant step towards alleviating the hardships faced by impoverished families in El Salvador.

A Crucial Solution to a Heartbreaking Problem:

El Salvador’s stringent laws dictate that parents can only retrieve the bodies of their deceased children from hospitals if they have a proper coffin. Sadly, many economically disadvantaged families cannot afford this essential requirement, leading to a harrowing dilemma. Faced with financial limitations, parents are forced to make the agonizing choice between seeking medical assistance for their sick children and risking never seeing them again, or avoiding hospitals altogether, resulting in preventable deaths at home. It is within this distressing context that Joe’s Eagle Scout Project has brought a glimmer of hope.

Handmade with Love and Care:

Joe’s project involved the construction of ten handmade coffins, each specifically designed to cater to the needs of infant burials. With the help of his dedicated troop, Joe meticulously crafted each coffin, paying meticulous attention to detail. The coffins were not only beautifully stained but also featured custom designs and handmade pillows inside, providing a sense of solace and dignity to grieving families during their darkest hours.

Making a Life-Saving Impact:

The impact of Joe’s donation extends far beyond the tangible coffins themselves. By providing local hospitals with these precious caskets, Joe has helped save lives and fostered an environment of support and care for struggling families. Hospital administrators now have the means to proudly advertise that they offer free coffins, alleviating the fears and financial burdens that once deterred families from seeking medical assistance for their children. It is estimated that this initiative will save the lives of at least 100 children, enabling parents to overcome their fears and granting access to life-saving healthcare.

A Beacon of Light:

Joe Markland’s Eagle Scout project stands as a shining example of selflessness and compassion in action. By addressing a critical need within his community, he has not only demonstrated leadership skills but has also provided hope to those who need it most. Through his commitment and dedication, Joe has shown that even small acts of kindness can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Joe’s Eagle Scout project, centered around building handmade coffins for infants and donating them to local hospitals, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving others. By addressing a pressing issue within his community, Joe has brought peace, comfort, and renewed hope to countless families in El Salvador. His actions exemplify the transformative power of empathy and serve as an inspiration to all, reminding us that through compassion and determination, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of others.