Local merchants help Eagle Scout

Six months ago I set out to complete requirement No. 5 for becoming an Eagle Scout, leading a service project to benefit the community. I decided to build a shed for Camp Gilmore, a local Salvation Army Camp that serves inner-city children.

I made a materials list, obtained a letter from the Salvation Army, donned my Scout uniform, and started going to local home improvement stores, asking for donations of materials to construct my project. I found that many stores were only willing to donate rebates and discounts, and a few others only a minimal amount of materials.

I found success at Roadside Lumber in Agoura Hills and the Home Depots in Newbury Park and Woodland Hills. The three together donated almost all of the materials that it took to build the shed. When I went to Roadside, I was greeted by a fellow Eagle Scout, the manager, who donated $160 worth of lumber on the spot and then asked if I needed anything else to complete my project.

The managers of the two Home Depots went around their stores with me and helped me select the best materials, which they then donated to the project. Out of the many stores I went to, the three stores donated over $550 worth of $600 total materials. I would not have been able to complete my project, nor become an Eagle Scout if it was not for the generosity and charity of Radside Lumber and Home Depot.

Roadside Lumber and Home Depot have also given substantial amounts of materials to other Eagle Scout candidates doing service projects in the area, which have led to the improvements of many of the area’s churches, day camps and parks. Roadside Lumber and Home Depot are leaders in outreach to the community, always offering an open hand and materials to Scouts who are looking to help their communities and become Eagle Scouts.

On behalf of all the Eagle Scouts who have come before me and those who are still to come, thank you.

Brandon Keefe

West Hills