BALLSTON SPA NY (WRGB) - An Eagle Scout from Ballston Spa is taking the motto of be prepared to heart, as he goes the extra mile to ensure his community is protected during the pandemic.
As his Eagle Scout group project, 16-year-old Jacob Finch decided to address the shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE.
The idea was sparked with Finch thought about all the unused neckerchiefs that the scouts wear just sitting at a distribution center. He knew they could be put to better use right now as cloth face masks.
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Jacob's father is the head of COVID-19 efforts at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady so this pandemic, and this generous gesture hits close to home.
"Through watching the news and listening to him come home everyday, I'm aware of all the shortages that are going on," said Finch. "I wanted to use scouting to its fullest potential."
The Boy Scouts will donate over 35,000 neckerchiefs to community groups and hospitals across New York and northern New Jersey.
Delivery locations include:
- Ellis Hospital (NY)
- Red Cross – Capital Region (NY)
- United for the Troops (NY)
- St. Joseph’s Hospital (NJ)
- RJW Barnabas Health (NJ)
- Jersey City Medical Center (NJ)
- Worthington Fire/EMT Post (NJ)