Due to deer and vandalism, the TFES Garden Club made a difficult decision to have a fence built around the TFES Food Garden. The Food Garden’s security fell to the wayside, with time/money budgeted towards other Garden Club projects, like the outdoor classroom, TFES front entrance, and funding the Garden’s Student Program activities.
Well, this story has a silver-lining and some local heroes! Former TFES Cheetah and a young community leader, Matthew Miller stepped up to help with his Eagle Scout Project. We are so thankful to Matthew in leading a group of fine young men to do a service to our community, so that we may continue to grow food and young minds at the edge of Upper Dublin.
Matthew Miller is a UDHS rising senior who plays football, lacrosse and soccer for the high school, is in National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Jewish Student Union and active in B’nai Brith Youth Organization, along with becoming an Eagle Scout.
In addition to countless hours of community service, education and lessons, Eagle Scouts are required to complete a project. An Eagle Scout project is the culmination of all lessons learned through years in Scouting, demonstrating leadership and providing service to a worthy institution outside of the Boy Scouts, such as a school, religious institution, or community. Some scouts choose to build prefabricated structures using a kit. Not Matthew Miller – he sought out the school in asking what was needed by the community and he took no easy route in bringing this customized project from plan to fruition.
- It took creativity, ingenuity and using his resources, to design the fence – asking experts, gaining approvals and getting recipient agreements.
- It took organization and leadership to coordinate a build-day, with all the tools needed, a well-oiled group of scouts and adults.
- In addition to building our new fabulous fence, Troop 98’s younger members assisted with some chores around the food garden, outdoor classroom and even some prep work to help beautify the front of school.
- It took confidence and time to request the many donations of supplies and food that made this project a reality.
- We appreciate Matthew’s using these gifts to help support his community and leave his former school a better place. We also appreciate the community who has stood around him to support his project and to nourish the volunteers.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT
- Matthew Miller for designing, coordinating and building the fence
- Richard and Gayle Miller, his very supportive parents
- Troop #98, the Eagle Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America
- Everlasting Fence Company
- Lowes Home Improvement of Willow Grove
- Ambler Beverage Exchange
- Nick’s Pizzeria
- Manny’s Deli
- Home Depot
- Sam’s Club
- Fill a Bagel and Breads
- Sam’s Italian Market
- Panera Bread in Willow Grove
- George’s Dreshertown Shop and Bag
- Dunkin’ Donuts of Jenkintown
- We thank the Miller Family, who are not new to helping to “grow young minds in Upper Dublin”, as they assisted their oldest son Seth in his Eagle Scout project of designing and rebuilding the Robbins Park bird blind along with the bird feeders in the same area. We are so happy that Matthew has continued this tradition to serve Upper Dublin’s youth, our community’s environmental education programs, and Upper Dublin Gardeners.
TFES GARDEN CLUB 