Cole Forness, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 276 and senior at Sun Valley High School, presented his Eagle Scout project to the Town Council on
Tuesday, March 10.
Forness’ project consists of three connected boxes set up in front of the Boy Scout Hut at 110 N Indian Trail Road. The boxes, designed to match the Hut, include a free library, a food bank and one to collect flags to be retired by the Troop. The free library and food bank are open to the public to either donate items or take something when they need it.
“When planning this project, I wanted to do something to help the community and that would have a lasting, long-term impact,” Forness said. “Anyone in the community can use the library or food bank. Oftentimes, people will drop off old flags that need to be retired on our doorstep. The box is a great place for someone to drop off a flag for the Troop to retire at a later time.”
Indian Trail Councilman Todd Barber is the project beneficiary representative. Forness has turned in all the project paperwork to the Boy Scouts of America Central North Carolina Council for review. Once approved by the Council, he will officially become an Eagle Scout.
“Through the Boy Scouts, I have been able to learn new skills and gain a second family,” Forness said. “With this project, I really wanted to give back to the community, and I hope it’s something people will be able to use for years to come.”
After graduation, Forness plans to attend North Carolina State University and major in psychology. 