Forget April Showers; Scouts Bring May Flowers

About 10 members from Cub Scout Pack 140 and their families planted hostas, three types of day lilies, black-eyed Susans, and purple liatris for a beautification project Saturday in front of the at the corner of Raupp Boulevard and Church Road.

The Scouts worked with the prior to the beautification project. “We originally planned to plant flowers right on the corner, but there were concerns with the boys being right on the street,” said Donna Jones, a committee member and Pack communications manager. Jones’s son, Connor, is a Scout and also volunteered on the project.

Prior to the Scouts beginning on the beautification project, the Public Works Department tilled the dirt and moved mulch close to the project site. The department also set out barriers around the site.

The Scouts received 12 annuals donated from Dirty Hands Garden Center in Hilbert, WI, while the Scouts’ families donated the other plants. The Scouts also brought their own tools, kneeling pads and gardening gloves.

Following a map that plotted the location of each type of plant, the Scouts placed 120 pounds of top soil around the plants, sprinkled Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed over the plants, and spread mulch on top.

At a later date, the Scouts will place a plaque stating they beautified the area.
“This area was just weeds and dirt before we arrived,” Jones said of the area set aside for the Scouts’ project.

The boys, ranging from 7 to 11 years, completed the beautification project as a final step for a badge to be placed on their brag vests. While Pack 140 was chartered by , the Scouts attend schools in the area and represent many different religions.

“This beautification project is well worth it,”  said Saad Yacu, whose son, George, is a member of the pack. “It’s important to help out the community. George also loves to work in the garden.”

“I like helping, and I like working in the garden,” George Yacu said. According to Jones, George was the first Scout to volunteer when the beautification project was first announced.

“I think it’s great that we can give back to Buffalo Grove,” Cubmaster Scott Wemstrom said. “We use the and the Youth Center for our meetings, so it’s nice that we can help Buffalo Grove. The whole point of the Cub Scouts is to build character and to help out.”

The Scouts completed their beautification project in approximately one hour, pausing only for a water break, as temperatures that day reached 80 degrees. The adult volunteers cleared the curbs and sewer cover from mulch, and the Scouts were instructed to clean up their tools and water bottles. Jones then thanked everyone for attending the project.

“We finished our project in record time because the boys were efficient and took directions well. They were also extremely enthusiastic,” Jones said.