While many Boy Scouts work very hard on their Eagle Projects, some projects really stand out.  Two playgrounds totaling over 5,300 square feet were in dire need of mulch replacement at Immanuel Lutheran School.  The natural mulch began to require more frequent and expensive maintenance and left the children covered in “mulch dust.”  Immanuel Lutheran School began fundraising over 3 years ago to purchase Recycled Rubber Mulch for the playgrounds.  While the cost of the material was successfully raised, the cost of the labor to remove the old mulch and add the new was out of reach.  This is when last October, Eagle Scout Candidate Kevin Schiff, a Boy Scout with Troop 17 in Elmhurst and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, welcomed the opportunity to serve.

                Kevin organized 69 volunteers from the community to complete the project June 7, 8 and 9, 2012.  He made requests and/or presentations to various organizations asking for help including:  York High School National Honor Society, Members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Boy Scout Troops 17, 117 and 82 in Elmhurst, York High School Football Team and various family and friends.  “These volunteers moved 44 tons of mulch out of the playgrounds and used wheelbarrows to bring it to the flower beds around the church and school.  Then they laid 5,300 square feet of weed barrier and moved another 44 tons of new rubber mulch in to the two playgrounds.   “To say the volunteers worked hard does not begin to describe their efforts – these people are simply amazing,” says Kevin Schiff.   Volunteers included Kellen Tracy, Ryan Spoolstra, Chad Davis, Tom Parr, Travis Parr, Tina Parr, Brandon Parr, Brian Kunst, Nickjack Agliata, DJ Cook, Vicar Steve Andrews, Mr. Scardon and his two sons, Karl Kuehner, Alex Sepanski, Michael Sepanski, Scott Glosner and his son, Daisy Dose, Rebecca Borzello, Josh Borzello, Chris Borzello, Sofia Sanchez, Scott Hermansen, Ken Odom, Dan Odom, Fred Broers, Janet Broers, Mr. Nottingham, Alex Hecker, Jill Hecker, Michael Seaborg, McKay Murphy, Jon Senese, Charlie Pomrehn, Charlie Peters, Emily Flynn, Kristin Steinbrenner, Kevin Steinbrenner, Austin Steinbrenner, Nathan Gornick, Eric McMillan and his two sons, Robert Tomaska, Cherish, Evan Czyzycki, Max Czyzycki, John Czyzycki, Alex Bliss, John Bliss,  Sandra Cain, Randy Wilharm, Rachael Wilharm, Rachael Rink, Bethany Christensen, Debby Hamp, Judy Baran and Chris Voth, Linda Schiff, Howard Schiff, Brian Schiff, Paul Trettin, David Prigg (Who volunteered for three days and totaled over 33 service hours!!!), Jason Prigg, Cheryl Prigg, and Kyle Prigg.

“This is a large Eagle Project that required Kevin to utilize and further develop his leadership skills.  We are very proud of his accomplishment,” complimented Jason Prigg, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 17.  “Kevin’s organizational skills, from helping to unload two semi-trucks to coordinating 69 volunteers in multiple areas of the property, were outstanding.  We are very thankful for his hard work.  Our school children and the children in the neighborhood will benefit from this project for many years to come,” said Paul Trettin, Principal of Immanuel Lutheran School. 

                Along with the volunteers, others generously made donations to help offset some of the costs.  “Asking for donations was challenging as many local businesses turned us down, but it just makes us even more appreciative of the donations we did receive,” said Kevin Schiff.  Donations were received from:  C&E Equipment Rental, Mama Maria’s Pizza, Aldi, Community Bank of Elmhurst, Fifth Third Bank, Home Depot, Jewel, The Parr Family, Marj Sommers, Irene Holman, Carl and Diane Schroeder, Bradley Brandt, George and Ruth Shone, Ron and Sue Niehaus, The Scardon Family, Vi Baaske, Russ Holman. We also want to thank those who lent us countless wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, and work gloves:  The Heckers, The Schroeders, The Sommers, Manfred Baltscheit, The Broers, The Trettins, The Priggs, Kellen Tracy, Ryan Spoolstra, The Kuehners, The Sepanskis, The Borzellos, Scott Hermansen, The McMillans, The Bliss', The Steinbrenners and all others.

“The success of my Eagle Project is the result of many people.  I am so appreciative of all their support,” said Kevin Schiff.  When asked about his favorite part of the project, Kevin replied, “The best part was when my family and I stopped by the playground on Sunday after church.  There were kids smiling and playing on the new mulch.  Not only was all the work worth it for me and my Eagle Rank, but I also know that I have helped bring some additional safety and happiness for the kids.”