BLACKSBURG – Sam Anderson, a 17-year-old senior at Blacksburg High School, has taken a significant step toward earning the prestigious Eagle Scout rank by designing and building a secure donation drop-off box for the local YMCA thrift store.
Sam, who has been involved in Scouting since first grade, chose this project to address a real community need.
“My family and I have occasionally donated to the Y,” Anderson said. “But I noticed that donations could only be made during certain hours. After discussing the issue with Ron Ovelgoener, I decided to build a donation box that would allow people to donate items anytime, securely and safely.”
The new donation box provides weather protection and security, helping the YMCA collect more items for its thrift store while making the donation process more convenient for the community.
Through this project, Anderson gained hands-on experience in carpentry, design, and project planning.
“I spent a lot of time figuring out how to build the box, what materials to use, and how to raise funds,” he said. “I learned how to use various tools and how to make the design stronger and more weatherproof. I’m proud of the work I’ve done and the final product.”
Ron Ovelgoener, Director of Thrift Shop Operations and Facilities at the YMCA, praised Anderson’s efforts.
“We’d like to thank Samuel for his commitment of service to the Y and its donors,” he said. “We appreciate his hard work and the good-looking final product for the Y.”
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in the Scouts BSA program, representing leadership, service, and dedication to Scouting values. Sam plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering after graduation.
YMCA at Virginia Tech
