Troop 147 Eagle Scout Matthew O'Donnell Completes "Buddy Bench" Project at Holland Elementary School.

Matthew O' Donnell chose Holland Elementary as the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project as a way to give back to his school community. He painted the lines for the basketball court and designed and built three buddy benches. Once the benches were installed, Matthew returned to the school and explained their use to students there at an assembly.

“If a kid wants to try something new to play or make a new friend they can sit down on the buddy bench. This would signal to other kids on the playground an opportunity to include him/her in their activities. It is a tool to help kids from being left out during recess and can help them make new friends” explained Matthew.

Along his Trail to Eagle, Matthew served his troop as Den Chief, Troop Guide, Patrol Leader, Instructor, Scribe, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He attended summer camp at Ockanickon, Sinoquipe and Tuckahoe Scout Reservations and earned the BSA Mile Swim Award at each. Matthew also participated in whitewater rafting and rappelling at Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. He traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch where he earned the Philmont Arrowhead, Duty to God and Trail of Courage Awards.

The son of Kim and Tim O’Donnell of Holland, Matthew is a member of the Council Rock High School South class of 2016. He is Red Cross Lifesaving and CPR certified. Matthew has been a member of his school’s Men’s Varsity Swim Team making the PIAA Suburban One team all four years and was a PIAA State Qualifier in 2015. He was named captain of the squad his senior year and Univest Featured Male Athlete of the Week. Matthew will be attending Bloomsburg University where he will study Exercise Science and swim with the Men’s Swim Team.