While other kids are relaxing and preparing for a school-free
summer, 13-year-old Boy Scout Devin Collins is working hard
collecting items for soldiers in Iraq. He hopes to bring a piece of
home to the soldiers while proving himself worthy of becoming an
Eagle Scout.
GILROY – While other kids are relaxing and preparing for a school-free summer, 13-year-old Boy Scout Devin Collins is working hard collecting items for soldiers in Iraq. He hopes to bring a piece of home to the soldiers while proving himself worthy of becoming an Eagle Scout.
Collins, a Gilroy resident, has been in Boy Scouts for five years and is a member of the Gilroy Boy Scout Troop 707. In that time, he has collected what he estimates about 17 of the 21 badges needed to qualify as am Eagle Scout. An Eagle Scout is the highest awarded rank in Boy Scouts. In order the receive it, scouts must fulfill requirements in leadership, service and outdoor skills. Only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts ever achieve the Eagle Scout rank.
Completing an approved community project is one of the final steps in the Eagle Scout process. Collins got the idea for his project when he heard that a woman whose son is in Iraq, and also an Eagle Scout, was looking for someone, such as the Boy Scouts, to collect items for the soldiers.
”The troops need the items and need to know that they are still being thought of from home,” Collins said.
He has placed barrels at Oakwood Country School, in Morgan Hill, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7680 Monterey St. He has almost filled the barrel at his school.
To gather more items, he will have a booth at the Gilroy Memorial Day Parade on Monday, from about 1 to 4 p.m. Two large 55-gallon barrels to collect items and stationary to write letters to the troops will be available. Booth guests can donate money or an item, write a letter to a soldier overseas or donate stationary supplies to send for a soldier to write back home. The American Red Cross – Operation Comfort and Care – will be shipping the items to Iraq.
Necessary items such as sunscreen, bug-spray, fly-swatters, hand wipes and sanitizers, toothbrushes, candies, beef jerky and especially zip-locked bags are needed by the troops. Soldiers use the zip-locked bags to mix drinks and keep items dry and non-sandy. Also needed are travel-sized games, DVDs, CDs, portable CD players, Gameboys and GameBoy games so soldiers can enjoy what little free-time they get.
Collins also collect items at other sites during the next two months and is working to have a barrel placed out in front of City Hall. He hopes to finish collecting enough items by the Fourth of July to make soldiers feel more connected to home during our Independence Day.
For more information, contact Devin Collins through e-mail at
ea********@ho*****.com
.
