“The Citizenship in the Community badge is one of the toughest Eagle Scout badges to earn,” Waits said. “That’s what got him going to the old shelter to do the work to achieve his highest rank.”
Wagner started by walking dogs but needed to do something for his Eagle service project, what Waits called “the crown jewel” of Scouting.
“The service project separates the real Scouts and the leaders from those who come into it for the fun and fellowship,” Waits said.
“Griffin approached Animal Friends Humane Society and asked what our needs were,” said Meg Stephenson, director of the shelter in Hamilton, and she directed him to a dog-walking area behind the new facility.
There were trails already in place, but access from the two entrances that led there needed some landscaping work.
“In the springtime, it gets really muddy and people track in dirt,” Wagner said, so he made plans, collected donations — including discounts on supplies from Gear’s Garden Center and a Lowe’s gift card from humane society benefactor Sandy Phillips — and is leading a team of volunteers to dig up the sod and lay down landscaping fabric, edging and limestone chips to create clear, mud-free paths to the trails.
He also is building three benches to complement a seating area for walkers and dogs to sit and interact.
“The walkers can relax on the benches, pet and feed treats to the dogs,” Wagner said.
“We are delighted to have help from young people like Griffin,” Stephenson said. “The project he developed is detailed and well-executed. To donate so much of your time and resources at such a young age is more than deserving of recognition, and we can’t thank him enough for choosing our organization to support.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
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