thedrifter
07-05-07, 06:54 PM
Scottsdale teen's effort to aid Marines may earn him Eagle Scout rank
Beth Duckett
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 5, 2007 03:32 PM
SCOTTSDALE - A Scottsdale boy who raised 13,000 comfort goods for the Marines is praying that his efforts will come full circle.
Nick Balbona, 14, started the prolific donations drive in May in an effort to become an Eagle Scout - the highest rank in the Boy Scouting program.
Every Eagle Scout hopeful must spearhead a service project that shows leadership and ambition, Balbona said.
After documenting his hard work, Balbona plans to send his reports off to Boy Scout officials, who will decide if he is worthy enough to move up in rank.
"I'm pretty confident," Balbona said. "People have been so generous."
Whatever his outcome, one thing is fore sure - his efforts weren't in vain.
During his final count, Balbona marked off 3,898 pens and pencils, 584 bars of soap, 858 granola bars, 203 tubs of toothpaste and hundreds of other goodies.
They have already been flown to Iraq and distributed to Marines.
"It's just been great," Balbona said. "I'm just glad I could help."
Boy makes family very proud
His family and friends couldn't be prouder.
"He deserves a good pat on the back," said Nick's father, Joe Balbona. "This is good for others kids to help their awareness of what's going on in Iraq and elsewhere."
Gene Wuestenfeld, president of Phoenix's First Marine Division Association, encouraged Nick's effort after speaking with a teacher at the boy's school, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale.
The teacher said Nick Balbona needed an Eagle Scout project. Wuestenfeld thought a Marines drive could be just the thing.
The two made contact and came up with inventive ways to solicit donations.
At Nick's school - where students wear uniforms - Nick was able to work out a deal.
Students hate their uniforms
The class that donated the most goods was able to wear normal clothes for a day.
"Believe it or not, that created a lot of competition," Joe Balbona said. "Those students hate their uniforms."
After speaking with officials from his church, Nick broadcasted the drive in the church's bulletin.
Soon enough, the Balbonas' garage was teeming with donations.
When all the goods were pulled together - nearly 10,000 from his school and 3,000 from the church - Nick helped pack them into a cargo truck, where they were sent to the Twentynine Palms Marine Base in California and then flown to Iraq.
Wuestenfeld added that, by donating directly to the marine base, they saved money on shipping.
"The postage can kill you," he said. "Get it out to Twentynine Palms, and they send it for free."
Ellie
Beth Duckett
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 5, 2007 03:32 PM
SCOTTSDALE - A Scottsdale boy who raised 13,000 comfort goods for the Marines is praying that his efforts will come full circle.
Nick Balbona, 14, started the prolific donations drive in May in an effort to become an Eagle Scout - the highest rank in the Boy Scouting program.
Every Eagle Scout hopeful must spearhead a service project that shows leadership and ambition, Balbona said.
After documenting his hard work, Balbona plans to send his reports off to Boy Scout officials, who will decide if he is worthy enough to move up in rank.
"I'm pretty confident," Balbona said. "People have been so generous."
Whatever his outcome, one thing is fore sure - his efforts weren't in vain.
During his final count, Balbona marked off 3,898 pens and pencils, 584 bars of soap, 858 granola bars, 203 tubs of toothpaste and hundreds of other goodies.
They have already been flown to Iraq and distributed to Marines.
"It's just been great," Balbona said. "I'm just glad I could help."
Boy makes family very proud
His family and friends couldn't be prouder.
"He deserves a good pat on the back," said Nick's father, Joe Balbona. "This is good for others kids to help their awareness of what's going on in Iraq and elsewhere."
Gene Wuestenfeld, president of Phoenix's First Marine Division Association, encouraged Nick's effort after speaking with a teacher at the boy's school, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale.
The teacher said Nick Balbona needed an Eagle Scout project. Wuestenfeld thought a Marines drive could be just the thing.
The two made contact and came up with inventive ways to solicit donations.
At Nick's school - where students wear uniforms - Nick was able to work out a deal.
Students hate their uniforms
The class that donated the most goods was able to wear normal clothes for a day.
"Believe it or not, that created a lot of competition," Joe Balbona said. "Those students hate their uniforms."
After speaking with officials from his church, Nick broadcasted the drive in the church's bulletin.
Soon enough, the Balbonas' garage was teeming with donations.
When all the goods were pulled together - nearly 10,000 from his school and 3,000 from the church - Nick helped pack them into a cargo truck, where they were sent to the Twentynine Palms Marine Base in California and then flown to Iraq.
Wuestenfeld added that, by donating directly to the marine base, they saved money on shipping.
"The postage can kill you," he said. "Get it out to Twentynine Palms, and they send it for free."
Ellie