Rand Barrett achieves Eagle Scout while helping the community

Rand Barrett approached Animal Services manager Chris Huff for direction and oversight on his Eagle Scout project. Barrett was happy when Huff signed-off on projects to help enhance the operations of the Animal Services Center.

Barrett formed and led a team of ten, and together they constructed a large cabinet for shelter volunteers to use to store unfolded newspapers, a donation box that is currently located at the receiving office of the shelter, and shelving for the sally port area of the shelter to house traps and cages for field officers.

Barrett shared these words regarding his project:

"A big part of scouting is giving back to your community and one of the requirements to become an Eagle Scout is to plan and lead a service project. I was very happy to be able to do my project for the animal shelter. It took ten people three full days to make it all come together, but it feels great to know that I'm helping the people and animals at the shelter. I've been in scouts since the 7th grade, and over the past six years scouts has taught me how to do things I'd never thought I'd be doing. Besides things like rock climbing, canoeing, and first aid, scouts has taught me a lot about myself. I'm a senior at Martin this year, and scouts has helped me more than anything else the past three years in high school. The work ethic and confidence I gained in scouts have been invaluable.

Scouting has something for everyone, even girls can get involved through venturing, and though I might not be a "boy' after I turn eighteen, scouting is something I will have with me for the rest of my life. I can't thank Chris Huff and the great people at the shelter enough for letting me do my project there and helping me become an Eagle Scout.'

Huff expressed appreciation to Barrett and his team of volunteers for helping to develop areas of the shelter needing enhancements. Gratitude was also extended to Rick Rasor for helping Barrett deliver his huge project to the shelter.

Rasor, a retired Major for the United States Marine Corps, has been an Eagle Scout since 1959. Rasor was introduced to Barrett's dad at U-Haul truck rental and volunteered his vehicle for delivery of the project. Rasor stated, "Scouts always help Scouts'.

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For more information, contact Arlington Animal Services at 817-459-5898.