Only about 2% of boys who enter the Boy Scouting program go on to earn the rank of Eagle. Jacob will soon be one of those accomplished few. One of the last steps to earn the rank is to organize a service project. Jacob has taken on an ambitious project to rebuild an inner-city play ground.
St. Malachi Center play ground. In need of being torn down and rebuilt.
The St. Malachi Center serves families and youths of the Near West Side Community in Cleveland.
Carl and Jacob taking some measurments
Another view of the play ground
A view from the St. Malachi neighborhood
In preparing for this project, so far Jacob has:
-made and designed a playground that will meet the needs of the St. Malachi Center.
-consulted with an architect, a builder and his dad about how to actually build his design.
-sought help from city councilman, Joe Cimperman. Mr. Cimperman has graciously arranged for a dumpster to delivered to St. Machachi’s for debris collection and removal. Free of charge!
-received a donation of used car, truck and tractor tires from Lakewood’s Marathon Station and tractor tires from a local business.
-found a local lumber business who will provide a significant discount and near free delivery. Thanks Cleveland Lumber!
-Commissioned a wonderful local artist and friend to help the neighborhood kids paint a functional mural for the playground.
-obtained a 20% discount on 30 cb yds. of playground quality mulch from Kurtz Brothers’ Landscaping.
-organized hundreds of hours of community help from fellow scouts, friends from his church and from the community.
-organized feeding all of the volunteers.
-reserved tool rentals and found people to borrow tools from.
-stayed within the budget he was provided, and has stretched that budget by comparative shopping, as well as securing discounts and donations.
And of course he’s done all of this under the authority and direction of both the leaders in his scout troop and the director of the St. Malachi after school program.
My delight is not so much that my Jacob has done all of the things above or even that this project will bring him to earn his Eagle. My delight is watching his spiritual gifts and his labors culminate as he makes a meaningful impact for Christ in this neighborhood.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3
Remembrance Stones 