Grant Kraemer's Eagle Scout Project for HUMC

Hi Family and Friends, this is Grant Kraemer.

I have been in Scouting since I was 6 years old. I started as a Tiger in Cub Scouts and after almost 11 years in Scouting, I am now working on my Eagle Rank with Troop 440 in Patterson, NY. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Scout can achieve. It is estimated that only 7% of boys that begin Boy Scouts will achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. In order to achieve Eagle rank I have earned 6 different ranks, completed a minimum of 21 merit badges and held a leadership position within my Troop for 6 months. I also need to plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project, take part in a Scoutmaster conference and complete an Eagle Scout Board Review. I am currently working on my Eagle service project which requires me to plan out a project, recruit volunteers, acquire the materials, and act as the foreman of the project.

The Eagle project I have chosen to work on is for the Holmes United Methodist Church. I have been a member of this Church for as long as I have been in Scouts. The Fellowship Hall of the Church needs to have new stairs for the front and rear entryways constructed of a more longer lasting and low maintenance material. Concrete was decided by the Church to be the material of choice. A new handicap ramp leading up to the rear entryway will be constructed of metal. These precast concrete stairs and metal ramp will replace the existing, unsafe and rotting wood stairs and ramp, which will be removed as part of the project. Concrete pavers will be put in place over grassy areas to transition from the parking lot to the handicap ramp.

The current wood stairs to the front and rear entryways of the Church Hall are rotting and splintering, so they have become unsafe. (See pictures below) The handicap ramp is also made of wood and is in the same poor state as the stairs. The ramp is also too steep and is not easy to use by people who are in a wheelchair, use a walker or unsteady on their feet. I know this personally since my Grandma, who was also a Church member, also struggled with the ramp. Besides the safety concerns, the situation also has become unappealing to look at from the street or when attending Church. The Church has a very small membership and can really benefit from a project like this being provided to them.

In order to make my project a reality, I am asking for the financial support of family and friends. Your support in this project means a lot to me and to the members of the Holmes United Methodist Church. This Church was founded in 1766 and I would really like to help it endure for another 250 years. I have estimated that the cost of my project will be about $8,000. If you are willing and able to donate to my project, It would be greatly appreciated. Your generosity of any amount, would help me complete my project and ultimately earn my Eagle Rank in Scouting.

Thank you for considering to make a tax deductible donation to my project.