Feb. 4, 2017 – Germantown, WI – Tony Matheny of Germantown is working on his Eagle Scout Badge. The 17-year-old with Troop 271 was busy Friday afternoon putting the finishing touches on 18 footstools for the NICU unit at West Allis Hospital.
“I got a lot of the materials from the Habitat ReStore in Germantown,” he said. “We’re using rescued wood from the trees taken down because of Emerald Ashe Borer.”
Matheny has been in scouts more than 7 years. He was contacted by a family friend about the need for the stools at West Allis Hospital.
The project started last August. After Matheny secured the materials he worked with carpenters, mentors and shop teachers to plane the wood.
In a test of leadership, Matheny guided six younger scouts who helped sand and stain the wood. “It was a good test of working in a group,” said Matheny. “No one got hurt.”
Matheny has put in about 70 hours on the project. Later this morning he will present the footstools to staff at West Allis Hospital.
“It’s nice to be able to make a difference,” he said. “Knowing that a mom who holds her baby for the first time will also be using the footstool. It serves a great purpose.”
To be eligible for the Eagle rank a scout must have 21 merit badges; Matheny has 22. In the coming months his project will be reviewed by the Council Service Center and National Headquarters. If accepted Matheny will receive his new rank during the Eagle Court of Honor.
