Student’s Drive Helps the Homeless

Eric Macksoud, a senior at Lincoln High School, recently organized a hygiene products drive to benefit Amos House residents and guests. Completing a community service project was one of his requirements to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.

“I chose Amos House for my Eagle Project simply because no one else in my troop had done anything for Amos House, and I wanted to do something local and different,” said Macksoud, who is 17 and a member of Troop 12, Berkeley-Ashton.

Over a period of two months he planned and carried out the project, placing collection boxes at various sites such as Lincoln Town Hall, Blackstone Valley Outfitters, and the Cumberland/Lincoln Boys and Girls Club. Macksoud also placed an advertisement in the Valley Breeze newspaper and in the bulletin at St. Jude’s Church. In mid-December he presented Amos House with eight large boxes filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and deodorant.

“It made me feel really good and showed me that community service can do so much to help people who are less fortunate,” said Macksoud.