Eagle Scout Leo LaCross stands with Hazel Mason and his parents, Josie and Louis LaCross, in front of the new donation box at the Mission House. CATHY KRAFVE It all started with a question.

“What is good for this community?” thought Leo LaCross as he searched through countless examples and suggestions for the right idea for his Eagle Scout project.

The 16–year-old was inspired to create the new drop box at the Mission House, because he remembered another day’s work three years earlier.

“There was a guy in this community who painted the Mission House,” he said. “Everyone showed up and pitched in.”

Next, he approached the leaders of Troop 366, Mark Maple, Nanette Moss, and Russell Geesing, about his idea. Leo is the third Eagle Scout from the troup to complete a project benefitting the Mission House.

Hazel Mason, director of missions at First United Methodist Church, said she can’t say enough about Leo and the troop.

“He’s been wonderful to work with. These boys are fantastic. They are the pride of Bullard.”

She is also thrilled to have a dry place for people to drop off clothing donations.

“When it’s rainy, people can still put their clothes in it. I empty it and it’s full the next day.”

Donations are used to caring for people who need clothes and food.

Clothes that cannot be given away locally are passed along to a ministry in Dallas, which repairs and cleans them, then ships them to Africa, Mason said.

With the approval of troop leaders, Leo began the planning necessary to bring the dream of a secure donation site to fruition.

The first steps for the student who loves history and thought-provoking challenges involved designs, drawings, measuring, math calculations for construction, and cost estimates for materials.

Then, he made presentations and began raising money.

“The donations from the Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus were great. I’m glad for the help they pitched in.”

He is also thankful to his family and friends for their support.

“My Uncle Frank came and brought his tools,” Leo said. “He did physical work with the Troop. My Dad even helped me pick up (the materials) and Mom came with refreshments.”

Many of his family members and friends made donations.

“I am very proud of him, and I am very proud of the troop and what they did for the community,” Leo’s father, Louis J. LaCross, said.

Leo has plenty to say on the leadership and teamwork opportunities provided by scouting. He doesn’t mind being the only junior on Bullard High School’s junior varsity basketball team.

Being surrounded by sophomores appeals to his sense of leadership.

“Boy Scouts of America is happening all over the country and all over the world,” Leo said. “The organization shows how to develop good leadership, how to do things people don’t normally get to do.”

Leo, an avid skateboarder, said that fun is part of what makes the scouting program successful and that, like skateboarding, it’s the fun that makes people come back for more.

After high school, the teen hopes to attend Tyler Junior College, then police academy in Kilgore, to pursue a career in law enforcement.