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Western Springs Scout replaces retaining wall at the Hinsdale Humane Society
Aaron Brown uses a sledgehammer to demolish a brick wall for his Eagle Scout project at the Hinsdale Humane Society. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
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HOMETOWN: Western Springs
EDUCATION: Senior at Lyons Township High School
SPORTS: Wrestling team
VOLUNTEER: Habitat for Humanity
INTERESTS: Politics
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Updated: July 29, 2012 6:16AM
Aaron Brown has been planning his Eagle Scout project for the past four months.
Brown and a group of friends demolished the retaining wall this week in the front of the Hinsdale Humane Society.
“A lot of the bricks were lose and falling out of the retaining wall, we replaced the bricks and put in new material,” said Brown, a 17-year-old from Western Springs.
Brown decided to do his service project at the Hinsdale Humane Society because his family adopted their dog Balto, a shepherd/beagle mix, from the Hinsdale Humane Society five years ago. He also wanted to do a hands on project.
“The Hinsdale Humane Society was very nice and easy to work with,” says Brown.
Fortunately, a couple of Brown’s troop leaders are contractors. They helped him out a lot with planning and constructing. Also, a friend of Brown’s sister owns Prairie Path Pavers, a company that specializes in paving and landscape design. Brown had to pay a flat fee of $100 dollars which gave him access to a variety of tools and equippment such as wheel barrels, saws, ect. Brown used his scout bucks to pay the fee which he earned by selling popcorn, reaves, and flowers.
“I was very lucky to come in contact with so many generous people who provided me with equippment and donations,” says Brown.
Brown has been in Boy Scouts for five years.
“I’ve always thought about becoming an Eagle Scout but my real passion started when I decided I wanted to go to The United States Air Force Academy for college,” he says. “ I actually just got back from a seminar at The Unites States Air Force Academy.”
“The most difficult part of my project was time management. With school, sports, and all my other extracurricular activities, it was hard to fit everything in,” says Brown.
Brown has just one more merit badge to earn before he can officially become an Eagle Scout. He anticipates he will be an Eagle Scout by Aug. 1.
