Ashton's Eagle Scout Gazebo Project

Hello, my name is Ashton Williams, and I am a Life Scout in Troop 447 out of Deep Run, North Carolina looking to complete my service project required to attain the Eagle Scout rank. The Eagle Scout rank is very important to a Boy Scout as it is the highest rank a Scout may achieve, and it must be completed before a Scouts’ eighteenth birthday.  In order to achieve this prestigious rank, a Scout must lead and complete a service project for the betterment of the community.  I had an Eagle Scout Project planned when I was still a part of Troop 1378 out of Woodbridge, Virginia, but my family moved to North Carolina in late 2017, causing me to have to plan a new one. As a result of the move, there was a lot of strife. It took a while to get established into a new troop, a new school, a new everything. I could have earned my Eagle Scout rank as early as 16 years old, however, during our adjustment to the area, my grandfather became very ill with cancer. My father was a primary care giver to him for a year and a half until he passed away this past January.  It was very difficult for us to find a project, sit down and discuss it and get it approved, let alone completing it in those circumstances.

Some time after my grandfather passed, we started searching for a project to do considering my upcoming eighteenth birthday on May 26th. My father and I talked to the American Legion Post 379 in Albertson, North Carolina about a project that entailed building a gazebo. This post hosts weddings and other social events where pictures are taken in front of the large mill pond behind the building. Attendees suggested they build a platform to take more beautiful and scenic wedding pictures. We had finished most of the planning required for this project and were preparing to host fundraisers when COVID-19 became a worldwide issue and the States shut down. The pandemic prevented me from holding any in-person fundraisers. We planned to begin this project in early February, but due to mounting conditions was unable to start.

Fortunately I received an official extension until August 26, 2020 due to the circumstances. The cost of the building materials is estimated at $2,200. Since we are still not able to host fundraising events due to COVID-19 and social distancing, I have turned to this media to try and raise funds for the project.

I’ve come here to ask for any donation people are willing to give. We have adjusted our plan to complete the project by the deadline. It should take less than one month, and I plan to begin as soon as I have adequate funds to buy the materials and start constructing the gazebo. Any excess funds will be given to the American Legion Post 379 for their endeavors. The Tax ID number of the post is 56-1304768.  Thank you for your consideration.