LFP Eagle Scout’s Generosity is Contagious

Sam Winningham of Lake Forest Park needed an Eagle project. After careful thought, he decided that care packages to the military men and women stationed overseas were the way to go. He reached out to the Lake Forest Park community, his friends, and acquaintances through door-to-door fliers and e-mail. What he got in return surprised even him.

The gifts came rolling in. He collected items for more than 1430 care packages and $352 to help defray shipping costs. He also made a critical connection: Russell Greaby, a member of Shoreline’s American Legion Post No. 227.

When Sam’s flier came to his door, Greaby knew he could donate T-shirts. As the owner of Barefoot Imprint, he had extra. Then he took it a step further.

He invited Sam to the American Legion Post to pick up shirts and Sam arrived to find 25 medium shirts with a screen print on the front commemorating Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11). The back of the shirts had information about Shoreline’s American Legion Starr Sutherland Jr. Post 227, Sam’s name and his Eagle project.

“Whenever we see young men doing something like this, it makes us proud. This is exactly the type of thing we want to support,” Thomas Drapac, former Commander Post 227 said.

“This is our mission,” Greaby said. “Veterans helping veterans.”

Greaby also solicited donations for Sam from Shoreline’s Hollywood Casino and Opus Bank.

The packages went out by the dozens to troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and the Philippines and to the organization “Deployed Women in the Service”.

Sam says he plans to enter the military after college. He hopes when he’s stationed overseas, people remember to send him care packages. And, like a good Eagle Scout (and son), he wrote thank you notes to everyone who donated to his cause.