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Joel Pelz didn't have to think long about what his community service project would be - with winter approaching, collecting coats was the easy answer.
And collect coats he did, 252 of them. The patrons of the Salvation Army Thrift Store will be the beneficiaries of Pelz's hard work.
"I chose the coat collection for my community service project because with winter coming, people would need the coats to stay warm," Pelz said. "I went around and asked all the schools, the three radio stations and both newspapers for help with the coat drive.
"Then I got drop-off points at Kosciusko County REMC and Kmart," he said.
Ken Locke, community ministries director for the Salvation Army, said Pelz's hard work will benefit many people in the community this winter.
"Every winter we have many people coming to us for coats. So to have Joel do this has really helped us out," Locke said. "He's done an excellent job.
"It's nice to see some good news about young people today," Locke said.
The project was a requirement for Pelz, a member of Boy Scout Troop 715, to receive his Eagle badge, the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn.
"The project taught me how to talk with the people in the business world, and it improved my people skills," Pelz said. "It makes me feel good knowing the coats will be going to a good cause."
Now that Pelz has completed his Eagle project, he goes before the Scouts' Eagle Review Board of the District Council.
