Worrell seeks Scouting’s highest honor
Published 10:18 am Thursday, January 15, 2009
RICH SQUARE — It’s not every day a young man makes the effort to become an Eagle Scout.
Recently, representatives from Transit Parts in Rich Square and Kidde Safety Products gathered to present Boy Scout Eric Worrell of Colerain with smoke alarms.
Though it may seem like an unusual gift, Worrell will put these smoke alarms to good use soon enough.
The senior patrol leader of Colerain Boy Scout Troop 135 will be using the 24 Kidde smoke alarms in his service project to educate senior and low income citizens about fire safety.
His presentation and delivery of the smoke alarms will hopefully help earn Worrell the Eagle Scout title, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program.
Eagle Scout may be earned by a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who has been a Life Scout for at least six months, earns a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrates Scout Spirit, and demonstrates leadership in the troop. The scout must also plan, develop and lead a service project that shows both leadership and a commitment to duty. Participation in a Scoutmaster conference is also a requirement. After all prerequisites are met, he must then complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
Tom Macchia of Kidde made the delivery of the smoke detectors.
Macchia was contacted by Transit Parts President Frazier Helms and Vice President Walter Johnston about Worrell’s project.
“We sell items that Kidde makes, so it was natural to lean to them,” said Frazier.
Johnston, who is the Reverend for many area churches (including Worrell’s church), said the young man was very “aggressive” in bringing the need to the company’s attention. “It’s always important to support our young people,” said Johnston.
Macchia, a former Eagle Scout himself, agreed.
“We’re proud of any young man that wants to be an Eagle Scout,” he said. “It’s honorable.”
Worrell said he appreciated the donation and thanked Frazier, Johnston and Macchia for the donation.
“I’ve always wanted to be a scout,” he said about his involvement in Boy Scouts.
Worrell said he chose fire safety as his project because it’s something he’s always cared about. He is already involved with the Colerain Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.
In the future, Worrell said he would like to become a fireman.