Michael Haydock, 16, is an Eagle Scout candidate with Mundelein Boy Scout Troop 198. His service project involves collecting nonperishable food and personal care items that will be sent to deployed solders via the Helping Heroes of America nonprofit. Haydock will have a table outside Jewel-Osco, 1150 W. Maple Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 1.
Q: Why did you choose this Eagle Scout project?
A: I have a lot of family and family friends that are in the military. One of my mom’s friends was in the military and stationed in Germany for a long time, and when she would visit us every so often she would tell us how difficult it was to get certain supplies and everyday stuff. Hearing those first hand accounts made this feel like a perfect project. Those people are over there defending our freedom. They shouldn’t struggle for basic necessities.
Q: How can people contribute?
A: Some of what I’m collecting include items like beef jerky, power bars, Jolly Ranchers, stress balls, dental flaws, bars of soap, chap stick, disposable razors, eye drops, toothpaste, band aids, playing cards, and blank birthday cards so they can write home to family. If people couldn’t get to Jewel, I have donation boxes throughout Mundelein like at St. Andrew’s church (10 S. Lake St.), The Chapel (1966 W. Hawley St.), and the Lake County Health and Pain Rehabilitation Center (524 N. Lake St.).
Q: Has Boy Scouts been a beneficial activity?
A: Definitely. Originally, I joined because I love camping. It was a great activity to keep me busy on the weekend and making more friends, but it also helped me learn leadership skills.
Q: Can you give an example of a leadership skill you learned?
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A: Patience. Not everyone can follow directions right away, such as little kids, and not everyone can follow the same set of directions. People have different strengths and different ways of learning.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: Numbers have always come easy to me, so I’d like to become a high school math teacher or an accountant. I’d like to attend Northwestern University.
Q: What do you like about the Mundelein area?
A: I love living in Mundelein. I wouldn’t say it’s a small town, but I know a lot of the people who live here and I really like that. I don’t like the bustling, crowded city life like in Chicago. Mundelein is a good mixture of the two.