By Davy James, Staff Writer
In the Parinello family, becoming an Eagle Scout is a family affair.
For John Parinello Jr., of Dayton, earning the rank of Eagle Scout is about more than just his own personal achievement, but also a means to honor his father, who died in 2005.
”My father had been a Boy Scout and achieved the rank of Eagle,” Mr. Parinello said. “My father’s two brothers had also become Eagle Scouts. It seemed like a good thing to keep the family tradition of achieving the rank of Eagle. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an honor.”
For his service project, which is necessary in order to become an Eagle Scout, the recent South Brunswick High School graduate and current Middlesex County College freshman, decided to help children halfway across the world in the war-torn region of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Mr. Parinello will be holding a yard and bake sale benefit Saturday and Sunday at the American Legion Post 401 at 148 Major Road in Monmouth Junction from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit his Eagle project, which will collect sporting equipment to ship to a chaplain serving in Kabul for distribution to the school children in the region.
”It’s important to send goods to children in Kabul because, I hope, it will tighten the bonds between the U.S. and Afghanistan,” Mr. Parinello said.
Mr. Parinello decided on his project after an assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 10, who is also a commander in the Navy and is stationed in Kabul, told him of the need for sporting equipment for schoolchildren in the region. Mr. Parinello said he hopes the children will reap the benefits of having an escape from the world that surrounds them.
”I hope that this project will promote good team leadership skills while keeping children off the streets in a war-stricken area,” he said.
Numerous items will be available at the sale with discount prices to raise as much money for the project as possible.
”We will be selling anything and everything,” Mr. Parinello said. “Books, electronics, arts and crafts, supplies, household items, holiday decorations, etc. The price ranges will be from 10 cents to $25. Prices are negotiable, after all, the purpose is to sell as much as we can.”
There also will be a donation bin for sports items. Mr. Parinello said there is a need for soccer balls, softballs, Frisbees, Nerf-style footballs and baseball gloves. Items can be new or gently used.
Mr. Parinello has established several drop-off sites around town. The South Brunswick Public Library and Crossroads South Middle School already have donation bins set up. Mr. Parinello said he hopes to establish more sites at other area schools.
He said the grand scope of the project is a source of pride and one he hopes will have a far-reaching positive impact.
”I feel honored and a little overwhelmed that out of all the Boy Scouts working on their Eagle projects this year, I was picked to head something of this magnitude,” Mr. Parinello said. “I feel proud that what I hope to accomplish will not only benefit South Brunswick, but will also benefit a community that knows little to nothing about us.”
For people who wish to make a significant donation or for more information, contact Mr. Parinello at hiddenartist556@aim.com.
