Beverly Eagle Scout Hopes To Bring Dignity To Foster Children Through Luggage Drive

CHICAGO—An aspiring Eagle Scout from Beverly wants your gently used functional luggage. Grayson Herr, 16, a member of BSA Troop 608 out of St. Paul Bible Church, is collecting luggage for children entering foster care for his final Eagle project.

Grayson is leading a community-wide luggage drive at Christ the King Parish, 9235 S. Hamilton in Chicago, to provide foster children served by Lutheran Child and Family Services. He's collecting suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, and other travel bags that offer dignity and respect during difficult transitions between homes.

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Luggage can be left at the back of Christ the King Church during the 5 p.m. mass Saturday, or the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses on Sunday, June 21. Luggage can also be dropped off during business hours through June 21 at the rectory.

For many foster children, moving from one home to another often means carrying their belongings in garbage bags, and oftentimes, those garbage bags may have trash in them. After learning about the heartbreaking reality many foster youth face, the Marist High School senior, Eagle Scout candidate and Christ the King parishioner decided to do something about it.

“When I was researching ideas for an Eagle Scout project, I came across an article about foster kids taken from homes who are typically just given a garbage bag or box. I was shocked,” Grayson told Patch. “They’re already in a bad situation. Giving them a trash bag is just rubbing their face in it.”

In addition to scouting, Grayson has been helping with Marist High School’s summer theater camp. While acting may become a side gig, he’s considering marketing and international studies.

Grayson started scouting in seventh grade and has earned the 13 required merit badges and 8 additional badges required for the Eagle rank. After he comes back from scout camp in July, he’ll finish cleaning and sanitizing the donated baggage.

He will submit his application and meet with the district BSA representative and leaders for his final review. He anticipates his Eagle Scout ceremony taking place in the fall.

The drive is already gaining momentum. Grayson says he has collected approximately 150 pieces of luggage and hopes to reach a goal of 200 suitcases and bags for donation to Lutheran Child and Family Services in Joliet, which serves foster children and families throughout the region.

Grayson hopes that giving kids luggage to move around with will restore their sense of dignity.

“It brings about a better sense of self-worth,” he said. “If you give them luggage, it says, ‘Here's something nice for you, and it’s all your own.’”