By Michael Howell
Qualifying to be an Eagle Scout is the highest honor achievable for a Boy Scout and usually involves completing a community service project of some sort. Jason Fadely of Stevensville took on a project that is close to his heart based on his own personal experience as a foster child. It was a huge undertaking and took a lot of community support to pull it off, but last Friday Fadely was able to donate 50 backpacks full of essential items for children who are being removed from their homes to enter the foster family system in Ravalli County.
Fadely knows what it is like to be pulled out of your home as a child and placed in unfamiliar circumstances often without having the time to gather any personal belongings or clothing. It happened to him in 2002 when he and his sister were taken into foster care.
“The social workers gave me a stuffed teddy bear and that helped,” said Fadely, “but these backpacks will be even better.” The backpacks include much more than a stuffed animal, although they include that essential item as well. They also include toothbrushes and toothpaste, underwear and socks for all ages, some crayons and basic school supplies, children’s books for all ages, pajamas or sweats, baby clothes, “sippy” cups, bottles and toddler blankets.
“Being taken from everything and everyone you know is so hard, but often necessary and I want to help other children with the transition,” said Fadely.
Fadely did not accomplish this on his own. He conscripted a lot of help. Over 150 people donated items from all over Ravalli County with a combined community service of at least 100 hours by scouts and donors. The stuffed animals were donated by the Red Cross and Fadely’s Grandma Jenny. His biological father, Roy Bowman, donated all the combs and toothbrush/paste kits. About $3,000 in total goods were donated and Jason, himself, put in 60 hours of work on the project.
Brenda Fisher, a Family Resource specialist at the Child and Family Services office in Hamilton, was overjoyed at the donation. She said that the backpacks, which are packed to meet the needs of various aged children, will be much appreciated.
Fisher said that there are currently 35 foster/adoptive/kinship families in Ravalli County and anyone interested in possibly participating in the program may attend Foster Parent Classes scheduled for March 1, 2012.