This mama is supposed to send 2 photos.
Scout leads gazebo project for top award
by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
At the tender age of 14, Ryan Williams is about to receive a prestigious Eagle Scout award.
Williams, who lives in Sauk Rapids, is creating a project in Sartell for one of his Eagle Scout qualifications. He is a member of Troop 21, which is based at the Eagles Club in St. Cloud.
Thanks to Williams’ efforts, Opportunity Matters (formerly Opportunity Manor) in Sartell will soon have an outdoor shaded area for its clients. For his Eagle project, Williams decided to start building a cedar-wood gazebo to the side back area at Opportunity Matters. He had heard through Bob Rueter, a Sartell scouting official who is on the board of Opportunity Matters, that the facility could definitely use a gazebo.
And so Williams rolled up his sleeves and got busy. Opportunity Matters raised the money for the project, and workers at DG Homes and Remodeling in Sauk Rapids donated a number of hours to help complete the main structure. Through it all, Williams was coordinator for the project.
As of last weekend, Williams and others succeeded in building most of the gazebo. The final touches will be added as early as Aug. 13. About 20 volunteers will complete the rest of the 24-foot-wide structure.
“I just want to give a big thanks to all the people who helped build that gazebo,” Williams said. “It was so hot out there!”
Williams is expected to receive his Eagle Scout award sometime this fall, when he becomes a student at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Williams’ hobbies, besides scouting, include video gaming, computers and music.
His parents are Steven and Donna Williams of Sauk Rapids.
Opportunity Matters is a care facility for people with various disabilities.
