Local Boy Scouts working on three leadership projects to support medical workers during COVID-19 outbreak

WASILLA — Local Boy Scout Troop 300 has three teenage boys working on their Eagle Scout projects which are more time sensitive than normal.

All three have set out to take on leadership roles and find ways to support their community during a great time of need. They’re currently working to donate personal protective equipment to local medical professionals, including face masks, medical gowns and plastic face shields.

Paul Ludwig, a 15-year-old Boy Scout, recently launched a GoFundMe page to raise $1,500 to craft 100 reusable hospital gowns.

Ludwig stated on his page that the gowns will benefit Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, local physician’s offices and clinics, and retirement communities.

“I am aligning my Eagle Project to help those most in need right now, our local health care workers,” Ludwig said.

Their scoutmaster commended the scouts’ efforts.

“All three kids jumped right on this,” Troop 300 Scoutmaster John Dieffenderfer said.

Isaac Ivey, a 17-year-old, is currently working with community members to create medical masks to protect medical workers.

The third scout, 16-year-old Loch Spillers, is technologically inclined and set out to find ways to print plastic face shields locally. He’s currently working with several community members to make 3-D printed masks.

Dieffenderfer said the whole point of these Eagle Scout projects is to take on leadership roles.

“You cant just sit at home and make 300 shields. You gotta lead somebody,” Dieffenderfer said.

Scouts had an extra challenge when coming up with their projects. They had to find creative ways to work around social distancing measures, which according to Dieffenderfer, has gone really well so far.

“It’s pretty darn cool,” Dieffenderfer said.

Taking a quick glance at Ludwig’s GoFundMe page gives one an idea how quickly Tropp 300’s efforts are coming to fruition. He launched the campaign last week and over the course of four days, he was able to raise $1,025 of his $1,500 goal from 20 different people. That’s 68 percent.

“Im proud of this whole group,” Dieffenderfer said. “They didn’t put scouting on hold. They just kept on going.”

Ludwig’s project is important to him on many levels due to the fact that his mother is a registered nurse at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

“She is caring for patients every day. I want her, her co-workers, her patients, and everyone she comes into contact with to be protected and safe from harm,” Ludwig wrote. “Your donation will not only help those in direct contact with Coronavirus — it will help their families, friends, and neighbors by promoting safe care for everyone. Please consider donating to further this just cause.”

The whole point of Boy Scouts is to promote big group activities so obviously, the social isolation is hitting them pretty hard. Despite this, Dieffenderfer said the troop hasn’t missed a meeting thanks to the internet.

With summer fast approaching, scout leaders are anxious to see of they will be able to go on any camping trips. If the social distancing measure don’t lift, Dieffenderfer said they’re considering virtual camping sessions where scouts can roast marshmallows and pitch tents in their backyards, connecting to their whole troop via video conferencing.

“We’re not stopping,” Dieffenderfer said.

To learn more about Ludwig’s campaign, visit charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/help-for-heroes-pandemic-hospital-gown-drive

To learn more about the other projects or how to help Troop 300, call 907-232-0981 or visit t300.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com. Support local journalism. By subscribing you help local journalism continue to thrive. For our latest digital subscription information, see frontiersman.com/site/forms/subscription_services/