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Eagle project benefits Hanson Center in Burr Ridge
Eagle Scout candidate Jake Collins (squatting center) works on his project building wheelchair friendly picnic tables at the Hanson Center with fellow Scouts Ryan Anderson, Danny Cvengros, Matt McClelland and Bryce Sesemann. | Photo courtesy of Jake Collins.
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Updated: September 24, 2012 6:46AM
BURR RIDGE — Thanks to the efforts of Willowbrook resident and Hinsdale Central High School junior Jake Collins, people with and without wheelchairs can now dine comfortably together at one of the three accessible tables at the Hanson Center built by Collins and his crew of helpers.
The project took place Aug. 15 and 16, but planning began long before.
“I designed the plans for the tables,” said Collins, 16.
With materials donated by Partners Incorporated of Morris and the Darien Home Depot, Collins and about 20 Scouts and parents teamed up to construct the tables.
Mary Beth Glenn, major gifts facilitator for Ray Graham Association, said the 12-acre Hanson Center property in Burr Ridge is used not only by those who attend the center for therapy, but also by the center’s neighbors.
Glenn said this is the latest of several Eagle Scout projects that have benefitted Ray Graham and the Hanson Center. Eventually, she would like to have tables like those built by Collins at all 35 Ray Graham facilities.
“It’s much more comfortable for them. Everybody can sit together,” Glenn said.
Glenn said two of the three tables will remain at the Hanson Center. The third will be put to use at a nearby group home.
Achieving the Eagle Scout Award was a natural step in his life as a Scout, Collins said. Now that he’s achieved Scouting’s highest award, Collins looks forward to continuing in the organization.
“I will remain in Scouts until I’m 18,” said Collins, who has been in Scouting since he started school.
“I’ve been a Scout since Tiger Scouts,” he said.
“It showed a lot of leadership,” he said of completing the Eagle award. “I wanted to be able to say I did an Eagle project.”
