Eagle Scout project to aid those in need

An area Boy Scout is working to advance in his organization and help his community this week.

The experience Jason Willman of Buffalo had when his family once had difficulty making their dollars stretch has inspired an Eagle Scout project aimed at making food and needed items available to area families.

Willman, an incoming senior at LaRue County High School, remembers visiting a church with his family once to pick up food and seeing all of the people in line.

“I saw how many people were there for the same thing,” he said. “The entire church room was filled.”

That was when Willman thought he should help ease the need. His opportunity came when it was time for him to work on an Eagle Scout project, the completion of which is supposed to earn him one of the highest honors in the Boy Scouts.

Willman said he has been a Boy Scout about half of his life and he has worked hard for the honor.

“Several times, I wanted to quit because it’s getting hard and challenging, but I pushed on through,” he said.

Canned goods, clothes, new and gently used toys and house and personal hygiene items are being collected Thursday through Saturday at First Baptist Church in Hodgenville. Willman also plans to pick up items between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. for donors who call him at (270) 537-5353.

It will even help if people donate only one or two items each, Willman said.

“I know everything is getting so expensive and how the churches are called in to help and how many people come in to receive help,” he said.

Willman said he isn’t the only person who is making the project happen. He has received help and support from his parents, area churches and Boy Scout Troop 151 in LaRue County.

“I definitely would not have done it without support,” he said.

Amber Coulter can be reached at (270) 505-1746 or acoulter@thenewsenterprise.com.