March 6, 2010
Brock finish his Eagle Scout project! Today he had the "lighting ceremony" and our family, grandma and Andy went and Brock got to turn on the lights for the first time. It was a long awaited day and he worked hard to finish it. We are so proud of Brock!
Here is an article from the Provo Daily Herald telling about what he did.
Scout adds lighting for animal rescue group
Janae Wahnschaffe - Correspondent Posted: Saturday, March 6, 2010 12:20 am
Brock Giles of Boy Scout Troop 1012 chose to fill a need for Friends-in-Need Animal Sanctuary in Eagle Mountain by adding a lighting system to the facility on Feb. 27.
There are now three 500-watt lights providing visibility to the outside animal pens, which house pigs, goats, chickens and llamas in addition to horses and other homeless animals for the nonprofit rescue shelter. The new lights will make the daily task of feeding and caring for some of the animal residents a bit easier.
"Up to now, we haven't had any electricity out there," Kim O'Donnell, co-owner of the sanctuary, said. "We're still building up our facility. ... We are about people as much as animals."
Giles organized the Eagle Scout project himself, which was no small feat. After obtaining approval from the necessary parties involved, he had to involve Blue Stakes for the required digging, as well as find financing and donations for the essential materials.
"I've been so impressed with him throughout this project," said Laura Giles, Brock's mom. "This was a big project to take on, and Brock took it and did everything himself. He's generally the shy type, but he had to make a lot of calls and recruit a lot of help to make this happen."
Giles solicited the efforts of his neighbor, P.J. Svedin, who served as the journeyman electrician. Giles said businesses were also helpful in the project.
The BSA Eagle Scout Award requires candidates to complete a project that will benefit an organization in their community.
"I first came out and did a service project for Friends-in-Need for a government class I took in high school" Giles said. "I was familiar with them and knew they needed help."
Karen Kast, a nearby resident and supporter of the sanctuary, expressed excitement for the new lighting as well.
"This will help so much; it's such a worthy project for Brock to take on," she said.
As an organization, Friends-in-Need is happy to provide unique opportunities for local Scouts and volunteer groups in the community, said the owners.
"The community of Eagle Mountain has been so supportive," O'Donnell said. "We have had several Scouts come and donate their time, and this lighting project of Brock's is exciting for us."
