Westlake Scout performs Eagle project for Bay Village residents

Sean Rossander paints a bench at the Knickerbock Apartments during his Eagle Scout project.

Residents of the Knickerbocker Apartments for active senior citizens were the recipients of the Boy Scout Eagle Project of Sean Rossander, from Westlake Troop 208. Sean, 15, directed the group that completed an extensive refurbishment of the much-used benches and picnic tables at the Bay Village apartment building.

During the day-long active portion of his project, he supervised 17 volunteers for a total 109 hours of service donated to the project. Contributing their time and efforts were Troop 208 Scouts and leaders as well as adult volunteers from Bay United Methodist Church.

The work entailed stripping off the old finish, repairing broken and unstable portions of the items and applying stain and sealer to all surfaces of the heavy outdoor seating. The items refurbished were three picnic tables with benches from the building’s inner courtyard and seven additional outdoor benches that provide seating near the building’s entrances.

In addition, Sean’s family donated a substantial rolling cabinet for storage of outdoor items such as cornhole games and planters. This cabinet was stained and sealed to match the picnic tables for the building’s inner courtyard. The new sage green stain coordinated the look of the courtyard and the subdued brown finish on the benches provided a unified welcoming appearance to the building entrance.

Additionally, Knickerbocker manager Char Paolella helped Sean by working with the apartment residents in choosing the project and guiding finish style choices. Maintenance manager Russ Dezember assisted by relocating the items to the work area and power-washing them prior to the sanding and refinishing process by the Scout team as well as providing access for water and electricity needed to complete the project in a timely and safe manner.

Sean’s project included 46 hours of his personal time which included development of the project, project planning and leadership of others contributing to the project. The project benefits the residents and visitors to the apartment building’s residents as well as community members as it also houses the West Shore Senior Center. Many residents stopped by to view the progress of the refurbishment of their seating and complimented the Scouts on the great improvement to their outdoor living spaces.

Once the project is completed and all other rank requirements have been verified, a board of review evaluates the Scout’s accomplishments and the rank of Eagle Scout can be bestowed. Only about 5 percent of all Scouts attain the rank of Eagle, making it a very distinctive honor.

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Volume 8, Issue 18, Posted 9:45 AM, 09.20.2016