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Eagle Project benefits hospice patients
new slt bird feeders
Boy Scout Troop 184 at Trinity Lutheran Church made bird feeders and donated them to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice. From left to right are: Cory Tripplet, Assistant Scout Master Darrel Mitchell, Tristin Mitchell, Landon Winkler, Phane Pedigo, Bradley Hanks, Sam Phillips and Donita Wolf, GBHH&H director. The bird-feeder construction was part of Phillips Eagle Project. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

 

 

 

Sam Phillips of Great Bend was keeping his eyes, mind and heart open for a way to meet the requirements of his Boy Scout Eagle Project.

After considering a number of ways to lend a helping hand, the 17-year-old decided that hospice patients might enjoy a little bird-watching and set out to make it happen. Phillips now has 25 bird feeders to show for his efforts.

"We wanted to do something that would help the community," Phillips said. "It could have been fixing something up around town or at the church.

"I thought the bird feeders were a cool idea because patients like to see the birds," he added. "It was something kind of neat to do."

Phillips was quick to mention that some of his fellow Scouts in Troop 184 helped at the shop with woodworking duties.

Donita Wolf, director of Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, noted that while Phillips did have help, he was in charge of organizing and supervising the Eagle Project.

"We truly appreciate Sam’s efforts to help our hospice patients," Wolf said. "The bird feeders are stored at our office and we will distribute them over the weeks and months to come.

"Hospice patients are facing the end of life," Wolf added. "We hope the birds can bring some comfort to them and their families."

The bird feeders will be taken to patients – whether they are living at home, an assisted living center or a nursing home. GBHH&H volunteers will fill the feeders as necessary.

Phillips noted that constructing the feeders was a big part of earning his Eagle Rank but there is more to come. He will answer questions about the project and his future plans when he meets with the Board of Review.

GBHH&H is part of the Central Kansas Medical Center family. It is planning for an expansion in upcoming months, after CKMC’s name changes to St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center on May 1.

Currently, the non-profit agency serves all of Barton County and portions of Pawnee County. After the expansion, its nurses, therapists and aides still will be available in Barton County, as well as the remainder of Pawnee County, all of Rush County and portions of Stafford County.