My Journey is Complete
In August 2009, I started first grade and just a few weeks later I faithfully attended my first pack night with Pack 156, Burr Ridge. That summer my mom and I went to our first 4 days/3 nights Boy Scout campout at Shin-Go-Beek in Waupaca, Wisconsin. There, I met a young man who was sitting on a tree stump whittling a stick. During our conversation he told me that he had earned his Eagle at 13. I knew at that moment I too wanted to achieve my Eagle at 13.
February 22, 2014 my Cub Scout Den, Den 5, crossed-over the bridge into Boy Scouts Troop 56, Burr Ridge. It was at that time that I began to map out my quest for Eagle. On January 31, 2016 that quest began. I reached out to the University of Chicago Medicine - Comer Children's Hospital to let them know that I would like my Eagle project to benefit them, and then reached out to a few people in the community to see if it was even possible for my project to be a success. Finally after all the emails had been sent, the paperwork had been completed, and the plan was ready to be put into action, I met with my District Eagle Coordinator (DEC) on March 30 for the approval of my project. The following day I hit the ground running and never stopped. In the months to follow I spent my evenings after school and entire weekends sending/replying to emails, writing letters, planning toy drives, meeting with members in the community, reaching out to friends and family, inventorying and pricing every item that I received, as well as creating this website for my project so that I could reach out to as many people as possible and by continuously updating it I am able to keep everyone in the know on how things are going.
On May 31, all collections ended and now came the next phase of my project. With the help of my Scout peers, Scoutmasters, former Cub Scout Assistant Den Leader, a Scout mom, and my family, we spent two days sorting, inventorying, packaging, and labeling all the boxes. On June 9, we delivered everything to Comer Children's Hospital. Gold (yellow) is the color that represents Childhood Cancer. I had yellow ribbons made for all the Scouts and adults to wear each day while we worked on the second phase of my project. They were all there to help with my project, but I wanted them to remember that it wasn't just an Eagle project, but it was for the children who were battling cancer. To honor the warriors, survivors, and the taken.
My personal goal was to fill a 10' truck with wanted/needed items to help lift the spirits of children from infancy to adolescence who are battling cancer, with the hope that these items would help make their stay in the hospital a little easier while going through treatment. I had just two months to complete my goal and I not only met, but also exceeded it by filling a 12' truck with 1,987 items with a value of pennies under $15,300! My project would never have been as huge of a success if it wasn't for the generosity of so many individuals who either donated a "wish list" item, made a monetary or supplies donation, hosted a toy drive, helped to spread the word, or even just gave moral support. I will forever be grateful, thank you!
In the weeks and months to follow, I completed my Eagle binder, filled-out my report, submitted my workbook to the BSA council for approval, was interviewed by my local paper for a conclusion story, interviewed for Bryan on Scouting blog, and updated my website. On August 30, 2016 I attended my Eagle Board of Review where it was unanimous that I be recommended for the Rank of Eagle, and my signed application was submitted to Nationals. On Sunday, October 23, 2016 my Eagle Court of Honor was hosted.
My Eagle project will most definitely go down as one of the best points in my life. I reached my Scouting goal of making Eagle at the age of 13, set a project goal and exceeded it, was hopefully able to help lift the spirits of many children battling cancer, and most importantly, I was able to honor my 6-year-old cousin who has been bravely battling stage 4 neuroblastoma since he was 4. I love you Chris!
Again, without the help, support, and generosity of so many people, it would never have been able to be the success that it was! THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Zachary Fortuna - Eagle Scout
February 22, 2014 my Cub Scout Den, Den 5, crossed-over the bridge into Boy Scouts Troop 56, Burr Ridge. It was at that time that I began to map out my quest for Eagle. On January 31, 2016 that quest began. I reached out to the University of Chicago Medicine - Comer Children's Hospital to let them know that I would like my Eagle project to benefit them, and then reached out to a few people in the community to see if it was even possible for my project to be a success. Finally after all the emails had been sent, the paperwork had been completed, and the plan was ready to be put into action, I met with my District Eagle Coordinator (DEC) on March 30 for the approval of my project. The following day I hit the ground running and never stopped. In the months to follow I spent my evenings after school and entire weekends sending/replying to emails, writing letters, planning toy drives, meeting with members in the community, reaching out to friends and family, inventorying and pricing every item that I received, as well as creating this website for my project so that I could reach out to as many people as possible and by continuously updating it I am able to keep everyone in the know on how things are going.
On May 31, all collections ended and now came the next phase of my project. With the help of my Scout peers, Scoutmasters, former Cub Scout Assistant Den Leader, a Scout mom, and my family, we spent two days sorting, inventorying, packaging, and labeling all the boxes. On June 9, we delivered everything to Comer Children's Hospital. Gold (yellow) is the color that represents Childhood Cancer. I had yellow ribbons made for all the Scouts and adults to wear each day while we worked on the second phase of my project. They were all there to help with my project, but I wanted them to remember that it wasn't just an Eagle project, but it was for the children who were battling cancer. To honor the warriors, survivors, and the taken.
My personal goal was to fill a 10' truck with wanted/needed items to help lift the spirits of children from infancy to adolescence who are battling cancer, with the hope that these items would help make their stay in the hospital a little easier while going through treatment. I had just two months to complete my goal and I not only met, but also exceeded it by filling a 12' truck with 1,987 items with a value of pennies under $15,300! My project would never have been as huge of a success if it wasn't for the generosity of so many individuals who either donated a "wish list" item, made a monetary or supplies donation, hosted a toy drive, helped to spread the word, or even just gave moral support. I will forever be grateful, thank you!
In the weeks and months to follow, I completed my Eagle binder, filled-out my report, submitted my workbook to the BSA council for approval, was interviewed by my local paper for a conclusion story, interviewed for Bryan on Scouting blog, and updated my website. On August 30, 2016 I attended my Eagle Board of Review where it was unanimous that I be recommended for the Rank of Eagle, and my signed application was submitted to Nationals. On Sunday, October 23, 2016 my Eagle Court of Honor was hosted.
My Eagle project will most definitely go down as one of the best points in my life. I reached my Scouting goal of making Eagle at the age of 13, set a project goal and exceeded it, was hopefully able to help lift the spirits of many children battling cancer, and most importantly, I was able to honor my 6-year-old cousin who has been bravely battling stage 4 neuroblastoma since he was 4. I love you Chris!
Again, without the help, support, and generosity of so many people, it would never have been able to be the success that it was! THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Zachary Fortuna - Eagle Scout