Nathan Martin of Boy Scout Troop 86 spearheaded a community effort recently when he undertook the task of painting the Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i’s Vicarage as his Eagle Scout project. Working with Tony Richie of Kekaha, who served as
Nathan Martin of Boy Scout Troop 86 spearheaded a community effort recently when he undertook the task of painting the Episcopal Church on West Kaua‘i’s Vicarage as his Eagle Scout project.
Working with Tony Richie of Kekaha, who served as Martin’s advisor on the project, Martin secured the help of Dayne Gonsalves, a professional painter, to provide his expertise in spraypainting the finish coat at no cost.
Coordinating the effort that saw numerous members of the congregation, friends, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts involved, Martin’s initial efforts were geared towards getting the church prepared, that step’s completion marked with the application of a layer of primer.
Martin also penned numerous letters soliciting donations for the project, since the Waimea church is a mission church and hence dependent on subsidies from the Diocese of Honolulu.
Mary Lindquist, the minister of the Waimea Episcopal Church, was thrilled with the gesture extended by the group, noting that the project would save the church a considerable sum of money.
Through these requests, Martin secured 16 gallons of paint valued at $480 from Kapa‘a Paint, an additional $98 of supplies donated by Wal-Mart Stores, and Puhi Paint afforded the volunteer group a discount of 25 to 50 percent on paint and supplies.
And, while the volunteers labored to apply the new coat of paint to the church, Ruth Okihara and Alice Brown spearheaded another group of volunteers who made sure the painters never went hungry.
Maggie Martin, mother of the Eagle Scout candidate said, “We should be finished soon, as we only have the trim left to do, now.” As the fledgling Eagle takes flight, he would like to thank all of the volunteers, representatives of businesses, and fellow Scouts who helped him earn his wings.
