Scout Project Helps Habitat For Humanity

Josiah May, 17, left, and Cody Rodgers, 15, work together Saturday to dig up a bush blocking the rock sign marking the entrance to the Habitat Trails Neighborhood in Rogers. The pair were part of a group from Boy Scout Troop 777 working to clean up the neighborhood as part of the Eagle Scout project for Jake Roberts.
Josiah May, 17, left, and Cody Rodgers, 15, work together Saturday to dig up a bush blocking the rock sign marking the entrance to the Habitat Trails Neighborhood in Rogers. The pair were part of a group from Boy Scout Troop 777 working to clean up the neighborhood as part of the Eagle Scout project for Jake Roberts.

— Habitat for Humanity homeowners in a Rogers neighborhood will have new landscaping thanks to a Scout completing his Eagle Scout Service Project.

Jake Roberts is planting shrubs and bushes in the Habitat Trails Neighborhood along with replacing dead trees, clearing brush from walking paths, repairing birdhouses and staining a gazebo.

“It feels good because we are helping Habitat for Humanity and it’s a charitable organization,” Roberts said.

Roberts decided to work with Habitat for Humanity because his grandparents have volunteered with the organization in the past.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian organization that builds affordable housing for low-income families around the world, according to the group’s website.

The Eagle Scout project stayed true to the environmental theme used in the Habitat Trails Neighborhood, Roberts said.

Brush removed from the neighborhood will be used to provide shelter for rabbits. All trash taken from the site or used by the volunteers while on site will also be recycled.

Randy Roberts, Jake’s father, said he was proud of project his son had orchestrated.

“One of the cool things is that he has to manage the whole project,” Roberts said about the regulations on Eagle Scout projects. “It has taken him a good couple months of planning.”

An Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America organization. In order to receive the rank, Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges and complete an Eagle Scout Service Project that benefits the community, according to a news release.

Scouts must plan, organize, lead and manage the entire project, according to the release.

Ron Stone and Barbara Stone, Jake’s grandparents, were helping with the project. Ron said he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for more than seven years.

“It is a good project for the kids,” Barbara said. “They need to learn about habitat and giving back. I think they have had fun.”

Members of Boy Scout Troop 777 of Rogers are helping with the project along with members of Roberts’ family. Roberts think it will take two weekends to complete the project which started Saturday.

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