Wayside Cross Ministries

Hi! My name is Heather MacDonald. I am a Life Scout in Scouts BSA Troop 1505 in Naperville Illinois. I am in the process of conducting my Eagle Scout Project for my beneficiary, Wayside Cross Ministries, located in Aurora, IL. For 95 years, Wayside Cross Ministries has provided restoration, recovery, and transitional housing for the impoverished, addicted, and abused. Wayside Cross provides a safe place to rest and recover through six ministries and shelters in Chicago. My Eagle Project is to provide 50 backpacks filled with essential items to be utilized by homeless individuals served by the Wayside Cross shelter in Elgin, IL. Funds raised via this site will go towards the purchase of both the backpacks as well as the essential items contained within them. Any funds raised over and above my goal will be donated to Wayside Cross for them to use as they see fit. Any amount donated will be greatly appreciated. As little as $5 can buy a few pairs of socks, and each backpack, when purchased in bulk, cost roughly $7. As a faith-based organization, my beneficiary has requested audio bibles for each of the roughly 50 visitors to the Elgin Shelter. These items are the most expensive, yet most cherished items, and cost between $20-$30 each. In total, one backpack and all of its contents costs approximately $65. Again, any amount you donate to my project will be used to help Wayside Cross Ministries and the homeless population in Aurora.