Nicholas Melton has created a pathway that may just lead to a better life for some.
Melton, 17, is a Goodrich High School senior and member of Grand Blanc Boy Scout Troop #368 recently completed his multi-faceted Eagle Scout project in the inner city of Flint. He received the award April 15.
‘I chose to partner with Carriage Town Ministries in Flint,? he said.
Carriage Town is a Christian-based organization that ministers to the local community both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, they offer daily worship services and daily devotionals. Physically, they provide a community soup kitchen, a free clothing closet, a men’s homeless shelter, a women and children’s safe house, and a free walk-in clinic. Carriage Town also provides educational and vocational training programs.
‘In pursuit of the Eagle Scout award I have earned 40 merit badges,? Melton said. ‘To date, I organized and led a team of 32 volunteers, nearly 600 hours to complete three separate projects at Carriage Town. The total cost of the projects was about $3,000.?
‘I constructed a stone pathway with an arbor an a decorative wall leading in to their community garden,? he said. ‘The garden helps provide fresh vegetables to their residents. It is also open to the needy of their community. Then I built a four-sided kiosk which has a whiteboard, a bulletin board, acrylic brochure/pamphlet/magazine holders, and the Carriage Town logo. Carriage Town uses it to dispense information to their staff, their residents and their guests. Finally, I collected almost 3,000 personal care products to be distributed to the needy in their community. The personal care products included toothpastes, toothbrushes, razors, shaving creams, shampoos, soaps, and deodorants.?
The garden is named the Denny Nichols Memorial Garden. Denny and his wife Marilyn are both Master Gardeners.
‘Together they have donated countless service hours to the community of Flint,’Melton said. ‘Mr. Nichols and his wife spearheaded the community garden for Carriage Town. Sadly, he passed away before seeing his project to fruition.?
Troop 368 was founded in 1968 and is sponsored by the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Currently, Brian Clegg is Scout Master. Next year Melton hopes to attend U of M, Flint and then either Aquinas or Albion to pursue a degree in creative writing and religious studies.
He is the son of Todd and Karen Melton and brother of Elizabeth Melton.
‘I’m honored to be the 102nd Eagle Scout from Troop 368,? he added.