Benton Courier - Boy Scout from La. to plant trees here

A Boy Scout from Louisiana wants to plant trees in Benton’s Tyndall Park in November and is seeking help from local residents.
Volunteers are asked to bring shovels, post-diggers or at least themselves to the park beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 8. Donations to purchase a tree may be made at Cox Family Gardens, 520 Alcoa Road in Benton. The goal is to plant 15 various types of trees.
While visiting family in Benton over the summer, Gaylan Lewallen, 17, of Hammond, La., Boy Scout Troop 170, said he was presented with a project idea to help him work toward becoming an Eagle Scout. He said the idea was expanded through the help of a Web site that promotes Saline County, Mysaline.com.
“I noticed that Tyndall Park needed some trees for shade in certain areas,” he said. “It is a great park, but I thought it could use some more shade for picnics and other things. My family and I are also members of [www.my-saline.com] and saw local people posting messages about needing more trees in the park, too.”
From that point, Gaylan said he discussed it with his mom, Jennifer, and began making telephone calls. Family members in Benton told him to call Cox Family Gardens for the trees and to post the need for volunteers on the Web site. Benton Boy Scout Troop 53 already has committed some of its members to lend a hand in the event. Jennifer Lewallen also said that two local companies, Rineco and Almatis, each have donated $200 to the project.
After making all the necessary calls, Gaylan then presented the project idea to his troop in Louisiana.
“The whole planning process is tough,” he said. “You have to have everything lined up when you present it. So I made some phone calls, got it set up and my troop leaders gave it the OK.”
There was only one stipulation for the project: he needed someone locally involved in Boy Scouting to verify his project work. Gaylan was surprised to find that person to be Benton Mayor Rick Holland. Holland is not only involved with the local Boy Scouts but is also an Eagle Scout and agreed to watch over the project and verify its eventual success.
“I e-mailed Mayor Holland and he was supportive of the idea,” Gaylan said. “He said it would help out the community and that he would love to help.”
Gaylan first got involved with scouting when he joined the Cub Scouts in the fourth grade. He later joined the Boy Scouts of America and has been moving up in rank for the past seven years.
“I love how you are involved with nature and helping communities,” Gaylan said. “We do a lot of camping, cleaning up highways. ... I just love the nature and parks. I think it is great that I will be able to help a park in another state.”
With Holland’s verification, Gaylan will be on his way to completing his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.
According to the Boy Scouts of America National Council, only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle, and since the start of the Eagle program in 1911, only 1.7 million young men have reached that level. Requirements include earning a number of merit badges and demonstrating Scout spirit, service and leadership. The candidate must then take part in a Scoutmaster conference before his 18th birthday and have an extensive service project that he plans, organizes, leads and manages.
Among the reasons Gaylan wants to become an Eagle Scout is that it will be an advantage when he applies for college.
“Universities love seeing that you are an Eagle Scout,” he said. “The military also loves it, if I ever decide to join. There is also the feeling of accomplishment and reaching a goal.”
Gaylan said he will drive nearly eight hours on either Nov. 6 or Nov. 7 then rest a day or two before the planting. He said he hopes this project not only helps Benton, but he hopes that it shows gratitude from the state of Louisiana for the help Arkansans gave during Hurricane Katrina.
For more information, visit www.mysaline.com, or e-mail Jennifer Lewallen at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Cox Family Gardens at 315-1420.

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