Future Eagle Scout completes thoughtful community service project
In his final steps to become an Eagle Scout, Gaven Farrell didn’t have a hard time choosing what his community service project would be.
After a tragic accident left his sister in the burn unit, Gaven decided he wanted to bring more joy to those suffering.
“I know how it feels to be super bored and for him doing this for other people it really helps me and other people,” Ivy Farrell said.
Helping other people is exactly what he did. One of them being 12–year–old Dale Anderson.
Dale has been in the burn unit at CHI Health St. Elizabeth’s for over two months now and still has a long road to recovery ahead.
“Having activities and things really help keep his interest up and also keep him motivated. right dale?” Christi Chaves said.
“Yep. The best part about it is I’m not going to be bored,” Dale Anderson said.
Gaven took donations and created gift bags for those in the burn unit.
It had a variety of activities including, coloring books, cross words, crayons, construction paper and even dry erase markers for patients to draw on the windows.
Gaven and helpers from his troop also made hand tied blankets for patients to choose from when they get to go home.
When asked how he came up with such thoughtful gift ideas, Gaven said he had a little help.
“I kind of just talked to my family, my sister asking what she would have like to have some things that she did have to make her stay better. I also asked my mom and dad what they thought would be helpful, useful,” Farrell said.
After hearing about the special visit from Gaven, Dale worked hard to make sure he could get out of bed and leave the burn unit to be there for the delivery.
The special moment of receiving that gift is something not just Dale or Gaven will remember but everyone who was a witness.
“I feel touched because they took all this hard work just to give me something to do and take care of me and they went out of their way to make me happy,” Anderson said.
Gaven was even thoughtful enough to make a gift basket for all the hard working nurses.
