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THE ABINGTON s
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The Voice of The AbingTons
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Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 348-9185 Fax: (570) 207-3448
January 28, 2016
www.abingtonsuburban.com
Providing Warmth
ON THE INSIDE The latest happenings in our area Page 4
SUBURBAN
Local scout collects coats for distribution by Linda Scott
SPECIAL TO THE ABINGTON SUBURBAN
Life Scout Nathan “Nate” Paul Gronsky began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub in the first grade. He then continued on to Cub Scouts, Webelos and Boy Scouts. “When I was younger, my mom signed me up for scouts. My brother and sister were both in scouts and she thought I would like it,” he said. Gronsky is a member of Troop No. 160, which meets at the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church. Throop 160 has had more than 175 scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout over the past 85 years. He is now pursuing his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project Gronsky did a coat drive. Coats and sweatshirts were collected at Trinity Lutheran Church, Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, Church of Saint Gregory, Our Lady of Snows, Saint Patrick’s Church in Nicholson, The Abington Community Library, Abington Memorial VFW, Chinchilla Hose Company and Clarks Summit Fire Department. The coats are being collected at the Abington Community Library until Sunday, Jan. 31. To date, 158 winter coats and 113 sweatshirts and hoodies have been collected. Scouts from Troop 160 helped sort the collection, pack them in boxes and loaded them into cars to be delivered. “I knew I wanted to do a service project. I also wanted something to help veterans in particular. Since winter was coming, I thought collecting coats would be a good idea. It is a good feeling to help others. It makes you appreciate all you have,” he said The coats were delivered to Saint Francis Commons on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 18. Veterans were given first preference. “Winter is the coldest time of year and many do not have the proper clothing to wear. This is the best time for us to provide coats at no cost. Nate did a super job and hit the ball out of the park,” said Sister Janet Jeffers IHM Executive Director of Catholic Social
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From left, Sister Janet Jeffers, executive director at Catholic Social Services, Gronsky, volunteer Rose Cegelka and Americor veteran Frank Berns.
Services. “This heritage inspires all members of the scouting program to strive to their best no matter what rank they achieve. All of our leaders have the upmost respect and admiration for all of the scouts in the troop. It is our privilege to watch them grow and mature into fine young men who thanks to the scouting program, have become better citiizens’s in their home, communities, nation and world,” said Scout master John D’Elia. A scout needs to earn 21 of the following merit badges to meet the requirements of Eagle Scout: First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness or Life Saving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Personal Management, Swimming or
Hiking or Cycling, Camping and Family Life. “The most difficult badge to earn was Lifesaving,” Gronsky said. “It is required. There are a lot of requirements and it’s time consuming to earn. Camping was a fun badge to earn because I like to hike and camp,” he said. Gronsky’s brother Matt and his father Joseph are both Eagle Scouts. “Scouting teaches you good morals for living your life. Becoming an Eagle Scout teaches leadership and how to work with others,” he said. Gronsky is a sophomore at Abington Heights High school, where he plays football and is a member of the Diversity Club. He likes baseball and hockey of the Pittsburg teams. “I liked the idea of helping veterans since they sacrificed so much for us,” Gronsky added.