43
Eagle Scout project benefits Shepherd of the Valley
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Poland United Methodist Church Troop 2 boy scout Matthew Cowles offered a summer of hard work at Poland Shepherd of the Valley for his Eagle Scout project. Cowles planned, organized, lead, and managed the construction of two raised garden boxes so that Shepherd residents could enjoy gardening at a comfortable height to avoid pain from knee or back ailments.
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted .Matthew Cowles received help with his Eagle Scout project every step of the way. Troop 2 scoutmaster Steve Garthwaith (left), Matthew Cowles, Greg Hallet, and Barry Hallet stopped by Poland Shepherd of the Valley during Cowles' project to help install siding to the flower boxes.
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted .Under the organization and management of potential Eagle Scout Matthew Cowles, fellow boy scouts from the area assisted Cowles in the completion of his project. After bringing the garden box frames to their new home at Poland Shepherd of the Valley, Troop 2 scouts Sam Buzas (left), Ryan Ohlin, and Cowles got to work on the base and walls of the boxes.
By SARAH FOOR
Thanks to the vision of one hardworking Boy Scout, Poland Shepherd of the Valley’s backyard gazebo has been beautified with the addition of two raised garden boxes.
The boxes were part of Matthew Cowles’ Eagle Leadership Service Project. As a Boy Scout in Poland Troop 2 out of Poland United Methodist Church, Cowles is completing the necessary steps to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Potential Eagle Scouts must demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of the community. Cowles chose to use his skills at Poland Shepherd of the Valley because of his close connection with the facility.
“I’ve always felt a connection to this place. My mom [Elida Cowles] works here, but mostly I love how Shepherd is such a loving, supportive facility. When I began to search for a worthy Eagle Scout project, I knew I wanted to give back to the residents somehow,” Cowles explained.
Considering the back and knee ailments of the Shepherd residents, Cowles designed the two boxes to rise 3 feet from the ground. Design help was provided by Cowles’ engineer dad, Leon Cowles, but complete construction and assembly at the facility was provided and managed by the Eagle Scout candidate.
The finished boxes are sturdy, weather-tight structures that match the fa ßade of the Shepherd facility.
Elida Cowles, the facility’s admission specialist, said the flower boxes are being used and appreciated.
“This summer, a group of residents planted begonias, but we’re hoping that by next summer, we can create a vegetable garden. Our food service manager loves natural and organic produce and she’s planning to introduce our veggies into special meals,” Elida explained.
“A few residents approached me and said they loved gardening but haven’t been able to do so in a long time. With the raised boxes, they can comfortably enjoy their hobby, and that made all the hard work worth it,” Matthew Cowles added.
Cowles will find out in the next few weeks if his hard work has earned him certification.
Throughout the process, Cowles received assistance from friends and fellow scouts. Offering a hand during the construction were Troop 2 scouts Ryan Ohlin, Ben Haylett, Sam Buzas, Jason Volovar and Troop 2 Webelos; former scout Brandon Higgins; Troop 44 scout Paul Alberty; scout master Barry Haylett; and Steve Garthwaith and Leon Cowles.