When Boy Scout Devin Collins set out to complete his Eagle Scout
project he hoped to collect as many donations as possible to give
to the American Red Cross
’s Operation: Care and Comfort. But when he arrived at the Santa
Clara office Friday to drop off six full donation barrels, more
than 100 letters and $300 in donations, it was clear he exceeded
his expectations.
When Boy Scout Devin Collins set out to complete his Eagle Scout project he hoped to collect as many donations as possible to give to the American Red Cross’s Operation: Care and Comfort. But when he arrived at the Santa Clara office Friday to drop off six full donation barrels, more than 100 letters and $300 in donations, it was clear he exceeded his expectations.
“I’m feeling that I did pretty good, and I hope the troops enjoy the items we got for them,” Collins said.
At 13, Collins is young to be working on his Eagle Scout project. Determined to complete all his badges, Collins set up collection bins one month ago and got to work.
“I’ve been working really hard because I wanted to finish before I turned 14. I just saw that I could do it and if I hadn’t earned it by now I would be busy with school,” Collins said. He has received constant support from his troop and family.
His school, Oakwood Country in Morgan Hill, donated a majority of items ranging from toothpaste to stationery to hard candies. Collins also set up collection bins at Gilroy City Hall, the Pumpkin Patch in San Martin and other local buildings. During the Memorial Day parade he collected a surprising amount of letters to include with the donations.
Collins got the idea for his project when he heard Morgan Hill resident Mary Ellen Salzano, whose Marine son Ethan (also an Eagle Scout) is in Iraq, was looking for someone, such as the Boy Scouts, to collect items needed by those on duty overseas.
Although pleased with the results of his work, Collins was nervous about receiving media attention Friday, July 9. As photographers snapped pictures and one reporter prepared to film an interview, his mother Michelle Collins reminded him gently to keep smiling.
“I don’t think he realizes the true extent of this project,” said his father, Mark Collins. “We are so proud of him.”
The American Red Cross will add the items to weekly care packages sent to 30 U.S. military units stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan through Operation: Care and Comfort. The Red Cross project has shipped more than 43,000 pounds of items since it began in April 2003.
Staff Sgt. Tony Campbell, whose unit received care packages while stationed in Iraq, met Devin Friday to thank him for his efforts. He was most impressed by Devin’s initiative to help with Operation: Care and Comfort.
“Receiving the packages is just fantastic. Morale goes way up,’’ Campbell said. ‘‘It’s great to see people support the troops even if they don’t support the mission.’’ Now that Campbell has returned from Iraq, he has joined the efforts of countless volunteers working on the care package project.
Campbell encouraged Collins to reach for the next plateau and continue his community service. Collins already has a few projects in mind and is looking forward to more scouting challenges including rock climbing and other outdoor adventures.
Megan Stevens is a summer intern in The Times’ Gilroy office. She will begin her second year at UCLA this fall where she is studying political science. Reach her at ms******@**la.edu
