Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge teen builds storage unit for Eagle Scout service project

Nicholas D’Onofrio is Proud to Help His Scout Troop and His Community

June 12, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nicholas D’Onofrio (blue shirt) with father Harry D’Onofrio next to him and members of Scout Troop 13, friends, family and supporters. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta
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On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, members of Bay Ridge Boy Scout Troop 13 from St. Anselm Catholic Academy gathered together to help one of their Scout members undertake his community project, which was to build and paint a large storage shed and install shelving.  The Scouts, along with their families and friends, all gathered at Ben Vitale Field at Bay Eighth Street to begin work on the shed.

This particular service project was proposed by Eagle Scout Nicholas D’Onofrio. The boys in the troop range in age from sixth grade to 12th grade. They are fist eligible to enter when they finish fifth grade or turn 11.

“I joined scouting back when I was in the first grade as a Tiger Scout, Cub Scout,” D’Onofrio told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I moved through the ranks and crossed over to become a Boy Scout when I was 10 years old.”

Scouting has taught D’Onofrio a wealth of life lessons as he’s worked toward earning various Scout badges, including the Citizenship in the Community badge and Personal Management badge.

“I have learned valuable principles which enable me to be a respectful and courteous man. Through my time in the troop, I have seen many Scouts attain the Eagle rank, and I have participated in multiple Eagle projects. I have been inspired by my older Scouts and companions who are now Eagle Scouts,” said D’Onofiro. “They helped me understand what it truly means to be a Scout, and they are the main reason why I was able to carry out my project.”

D’Onofrio explained how he came to choose this particular community project. “For my Eagle Scout Project, I chose to help the 68th Precinct Youth Council create a storage area for their soccer program. I have been involved with the 68th Precinct Youth Council since I was 4, so I have spent many weekends at the field.”

The young man saw a need for a unit to store sports equipment.  He explained, “The Youth Council had previously needed to transport their soccer equipment to and from the field every time there was a soccer game, which was inconvenient. My project takes away the need for transportation as it creates shelving and additional storage at the field. It also allows a place for concessions to be stored and can give the concession volunteers a sheltered area. I also painted the storage units, and we will be installing a gate for direct access from the fields.”  

John Quaglione, deputy chief of staff to State Sen. Marty Golden and chairman of the Board of Directors at St. Anselm Academy, attended the event and offered words of encouragement to the Scouts. Quaglione told the Eagle, “What an impressive turnout of fellow Scouts and families to help Nicholas at his Eagle Scout Service Project.  The teams will surely be grateful that Nicholas took on the project of redoing the sports storage facility bins at the Bay Eighth Street field. I am proud to have supported his efforts and look forward to him being one of the future leaders of this community, city and state.”

D’Onofrio’s father is Boy Scouts of America Troop 13 Assistant Scoutmaster Harry D’Onofrio, president of the 68th Precinct Youth Council. Nicholas said that he is proud to be able to give back to the Scout troop and his community. 

“The best feeling in the world to me is helping out those around me. Knowing that I am doing something for a greater cause makes me feel extremely satisfied,” added D’Onofrio. 

 

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