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Eagle Scout project a ‘blessing’ to community

JHS senior creates blessing boxes for churches

MIFFLINTOWN — A Juniata High School senior recently completed an Eagle Scout project that will benefit those in need.

Jimmy Zagurskie, of Mifflin, created and installed four blessing boxes outside of churches in Juniata and Mifflin counties.

Zagurskie said he has been involved in the scouts for as long as he can remember. The highest level you can complete in the scouts is Eagle Scout, where you have to create, lead, and complete a service project for the community before turning 18.

His inspiration for the project came while he was on vacation. Zagurskie said he saw a blessing box and decided he wanted to recreate one for the community back home.

Zagurskie said he wanted to complete a project that gave to the community and he could be proud of.

The public can use the boxes by donating non-food items, primarily hygiene/personal care items in the blessing boxes. The items are later distributed to the community by the churches.

He installed the boxes at the locations himself, with help of his Boy Scout troop.

The first box Zagurskie made took around 150 hours to complete. The other boxes took about 50 hours each.

To complete the project, Zagurskie received donations from multiple people and places in the community.

Lowe’s in Lewistown donated materials such as wood and hardware; Kyfus Metal Roofing donated metal roofing pieces for on top of the box; A.B. Glass in Mifflintown donated the plexiglass; Leroy Fisher also donated materials, and his grandfather donated money to rent tools.

Zagurskie said he installed the first blessing box around middle of February at Lewistown Presbyterian, and the project has gained traction since and is being used already.

He aims for the blessing boxes to be a “take what you want, leave what you can” mindset.

“I want to say thank you to my Boy Scout Troop, my friends and family, and everyone who donated. I am absolutely amazed with the people willing to help, and it would not have been possible without them.” Zagurskie said.

The boxes are located at Lewistown Presbyterian Church, 17 E. 3rd St., Lewistown; Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 Juniata St., Mifflin; Burnham United Methodist Church, 513 East Freedom Avenue, Burnham and St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, 3918 William Penn Highway, Mifflintown.

Zagurskie plans to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology, a public college in Williamsport, to pursue a degree in civil engineering after graduation.

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