A few years ago, Chris Vargas noticed an evening news story about the rise of veterans experiencing homelessness. He wondered why they weren’t being helped.
“Veterans have done so much for this country, and I just want a turn to help them out when they are in need,” Chris says.
So the Life Scout from Troop 81 of Naperville, Ill., tailored his Eagle Scout service project to do something about it. Working with his grandfather Jim Malarski, a Vietnam War veteran and retired command sergeant major, the duo contacted veteran organizations. (Chris’ other grandfather was also a Vietnam vet).
This led Chris to a community outreach center at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, just west of downtown Chicago. It’s the largest VA in Illinois, treating more than 56,000 veterans from World War II through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The outreach center’s employees work with veterans experiencing homelessness and advised Chris that filling backpacks with toiletries and other essentials would help tremendously.
Chris organized two major events, one at a gaming convention and another at a chiropractic office. At the convention, he recruited his cousin to 3D-print gaming items to sell. The effort netted nearly $1,000. At the chiropractic office, he set up a monthlong drive to receive donations. There, he collected more than 2,000 items.
He also reached out to other companies and made speeches to veterans organizations, leading to more donations.
In all, he collected 2,400 items, including water bottles, nonperishable food, clothes, first-aid kits and hygiene products. These filled 50 packs, and the extra items were donated to the outreach center’s pantry along with a $1,220 check. Chris and his team’s efforts could help hundreds of veterans.
Chris completed his Eagle project and earned the Eagle Scout rank last year, adding his name to his troop’s illustrious list of Eagles dating back to 1939.
Share with us
If you want to share your Scout’s service project, you can tell us by sending an email to onscouting@scouting.org. You can also tell Scout Life magazine about it. Scout Life can also feature your unit’s upcoming outings and other outstanding highlights Scouts have accomplished.
Support the Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund
Contribute to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship Fund. Donations to this fund go directly to providing scholarships to deserving Eagle Scouts, allowing them to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
Donate Today