HELP AN EAGLE SCOUT SAVE LIVES!
Eagle Scout Candidate To Build Floating
Lifeguard Station at Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch
TERRE HAUTE, IND. (Aug. 8, 2021) – For years, South Vigo High School senior Christian Verst has successfully completed difficult tasks in order to earn his many badges and awards in Boy Scouts of America. However, the challenge he’s taking on now could someday save somebody’s life--a teen like him--but someone he’s likely never met.
Verst, 17, this week launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his Eagle Scout project – a unique, floating lifeguard station at the nearby Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime.
“Eagle Scout is an honor bestowed to just one percent of scouts who have demonstrated leadership and management skills by planning, designing, funding and completing an impactful project,” said Scoutmaster Scott Jeffers, B.S.A. Troop 38 in Terre Haute, Ind. “Christian chose a life-saving station for the lake behind the Sheriffs’ Lodge and Conference Center in neighboring Clay County. From Christian’s 12-foot by 12-foot floating island, lifeguards will have a much better vantage point of visiting youth who are swimming, diving, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.”
Verst’s first goal is to raise $1,500 toward life preservers, lumber, floats, straps, anchors, cable, a ladder and hardware. "Christian hopes his GoFundMe page will allow him to complete the project in time for next season's Sheriffs’ Reward Retreats for at-risk students who are excelling academically and staying on course for on-time graduation," said Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse.
Also supporting Verst on the project is Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps . Verst was introduced to the Youth Ranch by fellow Eagle Scout candidate Nate Lommock, who was born in Vermillion County. Lommock now lives in Vigo County, where he attends school, plays sports and participates in Scouting with Verst.
“Scouting has provided me so many good friends and opportunities,” Verst said. “My Eagle Scout project will allow me to give back in a long-term and meaningful way to other young people, parents and grandparents from here in the Wabash Valley and across Indiana.”
To contribute to Verst’s project, Plasse and Phelps encouraged donors to use his GoFundMe page. For more information, they said to write to the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil, IN 47834.
