Christmas Cleanup in California
For the 33rd year, Troop 2 from Chico, California, is collecting Christmas trees to help residents with post-holiday cleanup while supporting local sustainability efforts. The program, which began in 1992, recycles trees into lake-friendly brush piles used in nearby Lake Oroville to shelter young fish and support aquatic ecosystems.
With help from Chico State Enterprises’ North State Planning and Development Collective, the troop’s 20 volunteers use GIS mapping to efficiently collect trees from 150 to 200 households — and they do it in a single day.
The 2026 tree pickup takes place Saturday, Jan. 10, with reservations closing tonight. The service is free, but donations are accepted to support troop programs.
Learn more about this story on the KRCR website.
Holiday magic built by an Eagle Scout
In Union City, Indiana, a simple idea turned a school bus into a magical Polar Express experience — all as part of Alex Cropper’s Eagle Scout project. With encouragement from the mayor, Alex led volunteers in transforming a donated bus into a festive vehicle featuring lights and steam.
He raised more than $5,800 and spent hundreds of hours bringing the vision to life. The bus offered local kids free rides to the town’s Community Christmas display, providing a unique holiday experience.
More than a seasonal attraction, the Polar Express stands as a symbol of what one Eagle Scout and a united community can accomplish together.
Read more about this story on the FOX 59 website.
Eagle Scout offers gift of comfort
Sophie Nguyen with Troop 30 from Los Altos, Calif., completed her Eagle Scout service project by creating and donating 12 handmade fidget blankets to an adult day care center in nearby Mountain View. Delivered just before Christmas, the blankets provide sensory stimulation and comfort for older adults with cognitive and physical challenges.
Sophie designed a simplified, collaborative approach using no-sew fleece blankets with handcrafted fidget patches, allowing Scouts, family and friends to help. Ten blankets were made for individual use, while two larger ones were turned into interactive wall displays.
The donation was warmly received by staff and patients, bringing holiday cheer and showcasing the meaningful community impact of Sophie’s service project.
Read more about this story on the Los Altos Town Crier website.
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