Nicholas Podias – Eagle Scout Project
Usually the St. Anselm Publicity Committee writes an article for a St. Anselm event. But, with the wonderful material provided to us by Nick, we are happy to share with you his thoughts.
My original choice for an Eagle Scout Project was to sponsor a community recycling drive and refurbish computers collected in the drive. However, there were too many obstacles so I decided against it.
One of the assistant scoutmasters in my troop, who has a son in the Army became involved with the Military Mama Network. She knew that I wanted my project to center around technology so when she found out about Cell Phones for Soldiers she let me know about this opportunity. Cell Phones for Soldiers was started 15 years ago by a teenage brother and sister because they wanted to help soldiers call home without the burden of the high cost. Since 2004 they have recycled over 15 million cell phones and provided over 300 million minutes in talk time to our military. Their idea was simple but powerful.
My project is to collect approximately 200 devices to be recycled and exchanged for phone cards that Military Mama Network will distribute to deployed military personnel.
Our military sacrifices so much for our country, I hope that my project will give them a small gift to help them connect with their families and friends and know that we appreciate all their sacrifices.
The success of my project is contingent on spreading the word. Anything you can do to spotlight my collection would be greatly appreciated.
In addition, I have collection boxes at the following places: Brooklyn Tech HS, Ft Hamilton HS, Xavier HS, and local businesses: Bridge Pharmacy, NYC Taekwondo, Staples on 5th Avenue and 94th St., Dr. Robert Alan Kelter, and the Connors and Sullivan Law Firm.
I have asked all my family and friends to ask their family, friends, and coworkers for donations. Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis & John Quaglione along with family and friends posted my flyer on Facebook. My project was announced at the Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade where I distributed flyers.
I will be collecting outside St. Anselm Church on 4th Ave in Brooklyn on June 8th, 15th & 16th.
Thank you,
Nick Podias
Thanks to the support of the many individuals who donated their old devices, the businesses and schools who served as drop-off locations, the St. Anselm Scout Troop 13 leaders, his Scout friends Thomas, Alex and Matthew, and most especially his family, Nick has collected nearly 400 devices for his Eagle Scout Project.
Nick – Congratulations, and thank you for honoring our service personnel!