Cub Scouts dedicate recycled bench to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

On June 7, members of Cub Scout Pack 45, based at St. Jacob's Lutheran Church, gathered with parents, scout leaders and church members to celebrate a remarkable achievement.

These Scouts didn't just learn about conservation; they rolled up their sleeves and made a tangible, lasting difference in the community.

Over the last year, the Cub Scout Pack set out on a mission. They learned that millions of tons of plastic end up in landfills and oceans every year, taking decades to break down. Instead of accepting the status quo, they decided to start collecting plastics.

They collected plastic grocery bags, film and plastic wrap from their homes, neighbors, families and local businesses. Their hard work paid off in a big way, with the Scouts successfully diverting more than 1,000 pounds of plastic from the local waste stream. Through recycling programs such as NexTrex, the collected plastic was transformed into a durable, weather-resistant bench.

The Trex bench is more than just a place to sit. It is a symbol of environmental stewardship and demonstrates how small, everyday habits can create a lasting community asset.

The Scouts dedicated the bench to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church. Every time someone sits on it, they may be reminded of the power of recycling and what dedicated young people can accomplish when they put their minds to it.

Assistant Cubmaster Ariel Ballinger told the Scouts, "You did an outstanding job. You have lived up to the Scout Oath and proved that you truly are leaving the world better than you found it. Thank you to the parents, local partners and everyone in the community who saved plastics and supported this conservation project."

Those in attendance responded with a round of applause.

Paul Rice, a member of St. Jacob's and team leader of the Future Visioning Team, presented a Certificate of Gratitude to the Scout Pack in recognition of its contribution. Rice is leading efforts to develop the 3-acre parcel east of the church along State Street NE into a safe and welcoming community space.

The area includes a baseball diamond used by the Lake Youth Baseball League and a pavilion used by St. Jacob's and other community groups. A playground set was recently added, and a climbing dome is expected to be installed soon. The site also features a basketball hoop, four-square court and Gaga Pit.

Last year, a portion of a walking path was constructed from the parking lot to the baseball field, and quotes are being sought to extend the path. A grant from the St. John/St. Paul Memorial Fund, established when the Akron congregation closed, helped fund the project.

Another future goal is the construction of a prayer labyrinth that would provide a space for meditation near St. Jacob's Cemetery behind the church.