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Brophy senior completes Eagle Scout service project
Student serves school for homeless
By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
November 15, 2007
For Tim Agee, his efforts may not have seemed like much, but this aspiring Eagle Scout’s service project made a real difference in the lives of hundreds of homeless children in the Valley.
Agee spearheaded a drive that brought more than 370 pieces of winter clothing, nearly 250 boxes of tissues and more than 170 containers of hand wipes to the younger students at Thomas J. Pappas Elementary School.
“That was where the greatest need was,” Agee said.
The facility ministers to homeless children by teaching them and providing other necessities such as clothing.
Although Agee appreciates every donor’s generosity, he realized it wasn’t enough to change the students’ social situation.
But it could be a small step in that direction. The project certainly changed his outlook.
“There was this little third-grade girl and she broke my heart,” Agee said. He saw her folding clothes in the school’s closet during a tour of the facility.
That brief encounter inspired him to help the school, a move that’s not uncommon for scouts or youth in the Valley, according to staff.
The project also brought awareness of the school’s needs to two Valley parishes. Agee spoke about the project at six Masses at Our Lady of the Valley and St. Raphael last month.
Agee said Fr. Duane Balcerski, who works with homeless men at Andre House, gave “a very heartfelt talk” after Agee gave his. Churchgoers listened.
They returned the following weekend with nearly double what Agee promised the school plus roughly $400 in cash to buy other items. Parishioners also sent checks directly to the school.
“I was utterly impressed with the response of the parishioners,” said Fr. Ed Kaminski, pastor of the northwest Valley parishes. He was equally impressed to see a young person with a passion for the poor.
Agee, a senior at Brophy College Preparatory, had a reach that spread to the greater community. One donor, who didn’t belong to either parish, brought a duffle bag full of clothes. Agee also collected items in front of two Valley Wal-Marts.
His quest to fulfill student needs at the Valley’s school for homeless children was successful.
The students who were once in the greatest need of clothing will stay warm through the winter and their classrooms will stay clean.
More importantly, Agee further developed his sense of reverence toward God through true service, a key goal in scouting. It’s something 46 other Eagle scouts from Catholic-chartered troops have done this year.
Now Agee has taken the next step to be counted among them.
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