Western Springs Scout Collects Thousands of Donations Through Eagle Project

Kevin Schick of Western Springs has been working on a worthwhile Eagle project to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, which is no easy task.

With the help of Carolyn Kline, director of Community Outreach at Helping Hand Center, Kevin determined a project to collect donations for the center would have the most immediate effect.

While finishing his junior year of high school at Nazareth Academy and preparing for the ACT, Kevin put his project together.

He and his Troop #117 (Western Springs) distributed flyers to 1,600 homes throughout Western Springs. The flyers asked homeowners to donate much-needed supplies for Helping Hand Center in Countryside.

Troop members picked up the donated items from each porch on June 20. They sorted the items, and they will deliver them and stock them at Helping Hand Center.

Kevin is an “A” Honor Roll student. He is a member of Nazareth’s State Championship football team and plays Lacrosse. He is a member of the National Honor Society and an active member of BSA Troop #117.

Information and photos provided by Diane Schick, Kevin’s mom and a longtime Western Springs resident.

A Note From Kevin:

My Eagle Project Collection for Helping Hand Center on Saturday was a tremendous success! We picked up generous donations in the area from 345 households, and after sorting I have filled 40 large 18 x 24 large boxes with supplies in addition to a few small boxes.

I counted most of the items while boxing with the help of volunteers tallying on the boxes, and did some additional counting in the last few days. I am happy to report I have approximately 3,500 individual items. The majority of items donated were new and included batteries, paper towels, kleenex, cleaning and household supplies, soaps, cases of bottled water, personal care items, sports t-shirts, games, puzzles, spiral notebooks, and art supplies.

I had 20 volunteers to help me complete the collection and sorting, including 6 adult drivers, 8 Boy Scouts and 6 additional friends and family members. We started collecting items at 10:00 a.m. I had prepared maps for each driver with their assigned blocks, and 2 volunteers to go with them for the pick ups.

When they finished an area, they would return the donations to my house where I had 2 volunteers helping unload the cars and receive another map for their next pick up location. We collected until about 1:30 p.m. and we sorted and boxed items from 1:30 p.m. until about 7:00 p.m. People were dropping off donations at my house throughout the afternoon as well, or calling me to pick up additional items.

I also have a drop box in St. John of the Cross Church and Parish Center where people can drop off donations until July 11th. I am working with Carolyn Kline at the Helping Hand Center to coordinate a drop off date when I will deliver the supplies to the Helping Hand Center.

I am very thankful to the residents of Western Springs for their gracious generosity and desire to help such a worthy cause and for helping make my Eagle Project such an amazing success.