Giving back once wasn't enough for these 6 scouts

Channahon’s Boy Scout Troop 444 is proud to honor and congratulate six new Eagle Scouts who not only achieved the Eagle Scout rank, but are giving back to their troop by leading a fundraiser for a new troop trailer.

The highest rank for a scout youth is the Eagle rank. The scouts from Channahon Troop 444 who achieved that rank over the past year are Tyler Hartke, Connor Knott, Billy Koran, Evan Matravers, Kellan Moss and Nick Olsen.

Typically, boys and their families celebrate with an Eagle Court of Honor, where family and friends gather to honor the new Eagle.

The scouts receive gifts and cards as part of the celebration. As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schedules, most of the celebrations were canceled, with the exception of Knott’s.

Instead of bemoaning their lack of the ceremony court, the six scouts channeled their potential gifts into a fundraiser to benefit the troop.

Although all the scouts have led significant community service projects, Scout regulations say that those projects cannot benefit the troop or the scouting organization.

Each scout earned his Eagle Scout rank by completing badge and participation requirements and taking the lead in a project that benefited the community.

Hundreds of hours of work went into these projects. Olsen led a group who relandscaped at the Lockport American Legion.

Moss’ project was the construction of birdhouses for the Channahon Heritage Bluffs Golf Course.

Matravers organized the construction of shelving and storage for We Care of Grundy County.

Knott collected baseball and softball gear for underprivileged youth.

Koran and his team installed a large brick sign at the roundabout in front of St. Ann Catholic Church in Channahon.

Hartke organized a baby care item collection drive for Birthright in Joliet.

All the scouts are from Channahon or Minooka communities, and most are attending, or have graduated, from Minooka Community High School.

Knott is a Providence Catholic High School graduate. Olsen is headed to boot camp with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Scoutmaster David Hartke said any donations in excess of the cost of the new trailer will be used to build out the trailer interior and for equipment.

Make donations to Troop 444 at theCIBC Bank, attention Tina, at 23840 W. Eames St., Channahon.

The troop trailer will benefit Boy Scout Troop 444 and Girl Scout Troop 454. Both troops are chartered by Channahon United Methodist Church in Channahon.

For information, visit BeAScout.org.