Oxford teen wants to keep people warm this winter
SMITHVILLE – Needy families will have a chance to get blankets and coats at two locations in Chenango County, thanks to a service-oriented Oxford teen.
John Lee, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 79 in Smithville, has undertaken the endeavor as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Lee, a junior at Oxford High School, has been collecting items in donation barrels placed at locations in Oxford, Smithville and Norwich since Dec. 1. He plans to distribute the goods to local families after Christmas.
While many prospective Eagle Scouts do their service projects outside, Lee wanted to do something a little bit different.
“I read the news a lot,” the eleventh grader explained. He said he had observed the high fuel prices and realized that some people in the community would struggle to heat their homes this winter. The goal of his blanket and coat drive, he said, is to help those families stay warm through the winter months.
Lee had to have his idea approved in order for it to count toward his Eagle Scout project. He traveled to Norwich to present the concept to a panel of scouting leaders.
“They really liked it,” he said.
Once he had the approval, Lee started getting the word out. A fellow boy scout, Jonathan Chesebro of Oxford, helped him hang posters advertising the drive.
Chesebro, a member of an Afton scouting troop, will receive community service credit for his efforts. He needs those service hours to move up from a Tenderfoot to Second Class.
All month long, community members have been dropping off blankets and winter coats in the barrels Lee placed around town. He is storing items he has already collected at his Oxford home and in Smithville.
The teen plans two “giveaway” dates, where families will be able to pick out blankets and coats free of charge.
The first will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Center in Smithville. Hot soup and beverages will be provided during that time by the Smithville Valley Grange #1397.
A second distribution time has been scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 at the United Methodist Church in Oxford.
Whatever is left over after the two giveaway dates will be distributed through local charities and the Common Cents clothing bank in Oxford.
Eagle Scout is the highest level of achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. When Lee earns the rank, he will share the distinction with such notable leaders as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and former President Gerald Ford.
– Melissa Stagnaro
John Lee, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 79 in Smithville, has undertaken the endeavor as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Lee, a junior at Oxford High School, has been collecting items in donation barrels placed at locations in Oxford, Smithville and Norwich since Dec. 1. He plans to distribute the goods to local families after Christmas.
While many prospective Eagle Scouts do their service projects outside, Lee wanted to do something a little bit different.
“I read the news a lot,” the eleventh grader explained. He said he had observed the high fuel prices and realized that some people in the community would struggle to heat their homes this winter. The goal of his blanket and coat drive, he said, is to help those families stay warm through the winter months.
Lee had to have his idea approved in order for it to count toward his Eagle Scout project. He traveled to Norwich to present the concept to a panel of scouting leaders.
“They really liked it,” he said.
Once he had the approval, Lee started getting the word out. A fellow boy scout, Jonathan Chesebro of Oxford, helped him hang posters advertising the drive.
Chesebro, a member of an Afton scouting troop, will receive community service credit for his efforts. He needs those service hours to move up from a Tenderfoot to Second Class.
All month long, community members have been dropping off blankets and winter coats in the barrels Lee placed around town. He is storing items he has already collected at his Oxford home and in Smithville.
The teen plans two “giveaway” dates, where families will be able to pick out blankets and coats free of charge.
The first will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Center in Smithville. Hot soup and beverages will be provided during that time by the Smithville Valley Grange #1397.
A second distribution time has been scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 at the United Methodist Church in Oxford.
Whatever is left over after the two giveaway dates will be distributed through local charities and the Common Cents clothing bank in Oxford.
Eagle Scout is the highest level of achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. When Lee earns the rank, he will share the distinction with such notable leaders as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and former President Gerald Ford.
– Melissa Stagnaro
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