Some boys are not ready for the major work commitment needed to become an Eagle Scout until they are juniors or seniors in high school. Alex Kobus, an eighth-grader at Boone Grove Middle School in Porter Township, is ready now.
Alex’s Eagle Scout project is helping Knights of Columbus Council 7473 provide bicycles for the needy — adults and children alike.
When doing an Eagle project, the Scout is in charge. He can have helpers, but he has to be the leader and direct everyone in what needs to be done.
Alex has been seen around town collecting bikes — big bikes, little bikes, old bikes and new bikes.
He made up and delivered fliers to all the businesses in Winfield, asking business owners to post them. He was asking for people to bring their bikes to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Winfield on Aug. 29, his birthday. He had his home number on the fliers for people to call if they had a bike and needed it picked up. He also made announcements at the end of Mass for the weeks leading up to his birthday.
Holy Spirit’s pastor, Father Tom Mischler, who also holds the Order of the Eagle, was proud of the troop and Alex.
“He was clear and concise and for his age was very professional (with his announcements),” Mischler said. “He even asked for things to make the new rider safer, asking for helmets.”
Alex’s parents helped by driving to pick up 40 bicycles, and his Scout troop worked under his direction to lend a hand. They were hoping for maybe 90 bikes to be dropped off. But everyone was thrilled as they received 151 bikes that day.
Alex got phone calls with promises of 10 to 20 more bikes. His team was also collecting bike parts. That will help in the repairs that the Knights will make before the bikes are given away. Alex also collected 50 helmets in both adult and youth sizes, and rags were donated to help wash the bikes.
Mischler said the whole community, not just his parish, participated in the project.
“I was impressed by the turnout,” Mischler said. “Bikes will go to some happy families.”
The second part of the Eagle Scout project will involve coordinating with Mark Siminski, chairman of the Knights of Columbus bike project, for a cleaning and repair day. Alex and eight of his fellow Scouts will roll up their sleeves for this part of the project. Alex also plans to go out with the Knights when they deliver the bicycles to their new owners.
Alex is the son of Matthew Kobus and Jane Richardson-Kobus, who live on the Porter County side of Lakes of the Four Seasons.
