Local Scout Packages with Care

When+asked+about+what+was+going+through+his+mind+during+the+event%2C+Ward+answered%2C+%E2%80%9CMainly+I+was+making+sure+that+the+project+was+running+as+I+intended+and+it+was+running+as+efficiently+as+possible+so+no+major+mistakes+could+happen.+Also%2C+I+was+trying+not+to+hyperventilate+from+the+enormous+amount+of+nervous+tension+I+felt.%E2%80%9D+%28Photo+Courtesy+of+Mary+Ward%29.%0A

When asked about what was going through his mind during the event, Ward answered, “Mainly I was making sure that the project was running as I intended and it was running as efficiently as possible so no major mistakes could happen. Also, I was trying not to hyperventilate from the enormous amount of nervous tension I felt.” (Photo Courtesy of Mary Ward).

This past November, Boy Scout and Warren Hills junior Alexander Ward conducted an Eagle Scout  service project, donating care packages for kids to the New Jersey Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).

The care packages were to help the children in the system starting from as young  as 12 to the age of 18 years old. Ward wanted to help the children who do not receive much aid in times of hardships.

Ward strived to reach the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, by coordinating a project that was beneficial to an organization outside of scouts.

“The service project was the assembly and distribution of care packages for children in the foster care system which will be donated to the New Jersey Department of Youth and Family Services,” said Ward. “ I did my research and learned more about the local foster care system and how many children within our community leave homes of neglect or abuse only to move from foster home to foster home, only to carry clothes with them. I wanted to give the children something for them to call their own.”

The event was held at First Presbyterian Church Chapel in Hackettstown. The goal was to have 100 backpacks filled with resourceful items such as a stuffed animal, comic book, novel, flashlight, blanket, and a hygiene pack which included a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mini shampoo bottle.

“The supplies and materials were specifically chosen to be effective in durability and longevity of use,” said Ward. “Many of the materials were donated by organizations I wrote to who gave any surplus items they had available. I used funds I gained to purchase the remaining supplies and products I needed.”

Volunteers from different boy and girl scout troops  along with parents, teachers, and a few friends participated with packaging the backpacks. Together the volunteers traveled around the stations and placed one of each item into the back packs.

“I thought the turnout of people coming to help on the project was great,” said Ward. “It was great to see people outside of scouting come and devote their time  to the cause.”

All bags were filled and packed away ready to be taken to the DYFS the next day.  Ward was appreciative of all the assistance provided to make his project an accomplishment.

“I am very thankful for everyone who came and helped even if they couldn’t have stayed long, it is still appreciated,” said Ward. “I am [also] grateful for the recognition for the beneficial project it was.”