Eagle badge 30 years in making
OREM — Stacks of toilet paper, napkins, paper towels and other disposable goods lay piled in the driveway, the fruits of one morning's work and the culmination of nearly 30 years of effort for one Orem man.
David Tolson, a 43-year-old special-needs Scout, has Down syndrome. He finally finished his Eagle project Saturday morning by collecting paper goods from his neighbors. Most Boy Scouts must complete work for their Eagle badge before their 18th birthday. Special-needs Scouts, though, may take as long as they need and can modify merit badges to fit their abilities.
Karen Frost, a professional scouter who helped Tolson with his project, said scouting has provided many opportunities for Tolson.
"The work he has put into and the things he's learned from scouting have made him part of who he is," Frost said. "He did everything to his best physical and spiritual and intellectual capability. He just gives his all."
On Saturday morning, members of Tolson's special-needs Scout troop paired up with Scouts in a regular troop to collect the goods from willing neighbors. Each donor received from Tolson a handwritten thank-you note with his photo attached.
Merrill Farley, who lives a couple of streets away from Tolson, donated a bag of goods to what he termed a worthy cause.
"I admire him for making that effort," Farley said. "He's getting his Eagle Scout. I only made it to Tenderfoot."
The donations of Farley and many others created an impressive pile and will be given to Recreation and Habilitation (RAH) Services, a nonprofit organization in Provo that provides assistance for individuals with disabilities.
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