Eagle Scout Service Project Helps Raise Awareness

On August 4, 2019 Nathaniel P. of Troop 43 in Bay Shore NY (chartered by AMVETS Post 76) completed his Eagle Scout Service Project by planning, organizing and leading the Nicholas A Smith Memorial Walk, to raise awareness and financial support for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to fight suicide. The walk was held at the Bay Shore High School’s main track.

Nathaniel P. has been a student in the Bay Shore school district since he started pre-school in 2006, and is currently a senior and IB Candidate Student at Bay Shore High School. He has been involved in scouting since Kindergarten when he would tag along with his older brother until he was old enough to finally join in first grade when he became a Tiger Scout with Pack 153 of Bay Shore. Besides being close to earning his Eagle Scout rank, Nathaniel is a brotherhood member of scouting’s honor society, the Order of the Arrow.

Nathaniel is grateful to all the people and organizations that helped to make this Out of the Darkness Walk a success, including the Bay Shore/Brightwaters Ambulance crew, The Bay Shore Fire Department, the Suffolk County Police, Senator Phil Boyle’s office and Southside Hospital (all of whom were on site during the walk) providing information and handouts regarding mental health and suicide prevention and other community resources.

In addition, many fellow scouts and families of Troop 43, the Order of the Arrow, students at Bay Shore High School and members of the Bay Shore/Brightwaters community donated their time and effort to assist with the walk.

The walk was able to raise an impressive $2,880 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an agency that promotes suicide awareness, research, and suicide prevention education.

Special thanks goes out to Liam of Every Venue Entertainment, who donated his MC/DJ services, and to the Bay Shore School District, specifically the Buildings and Grounds, Athletics Departments, and Security for helping with logistics arranging the use of the track and facilities for this important event.

If you missed the opportunity to attend the Nicholas A Smith Memorial Walk you can still provide support to the cause by making a donation at:

https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=1967625

Additionally if you would like more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or if you would like to support or attend one of their upcoming Out of the Darkness Walks you can find information on their website:

https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-new-york-long-island/

If you would like more information on Scouts BSA Troop 43 or scouting in the Bay Shore/Brightwaters area visit their website at:

troop43bayshore.scoutlander.com

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741