Cypress High Student and Troop 670 Life Scout, Corin Hill, recently led 25 leaders and scouts across our southern border into Mexico to an orphanage to conduct his project in pursuit of the Boy Scouts’ highest rank of Eagle.
Corin had well thought-out reasoning for choosing such a bold endeavor.
“The BSA recognizes that my community is not just limited to my school, city or even country. Community is, in effect, the description of humanity across our whole world,” he said.
Cypress High Student and Troop 670 Life Scout, Corin Hill, recently led 25 leaders and scouts across our southern border into Mexico to an orphanage to conduct his project in pursuit of the Boy Scouts’ highest rank of Eagle.
Corin had well thought-out reasoning for choosing such a bold endeavor.
“The BSA recognizes that my community is not just limited to my school, city or even country. Community is, in effect, the description of humanity across our whole world,” he said.
Corin’s family has been involved in supporting the El Sauzal Orphanage for more than a decade; Corin himself has visited it several times. These visits have made a lasting impression on the young man and when confronted with choosing a worthy beneficiary for his project, he immediately thought of the orphanage.
Narrowing the actual project work was done over a year ago, when he met with the Orphanage Director Erika Espinoza. Between the two of them, they determined that installing a laminate floor in the Comedor (Dining Hall) would benefit not only the children that live there, but also those that visit. For first time guests it is usually the first, and sometimes only, indoor view they will have when visiting.
With over 1000 square feet of flooring to cover, Corin got to work raising funds and preparing the installation workflow, gathering the necessary tools, planning the transportation, and purchasing the materials to lead the Scouts and Scouters of Troop 670 to complete the installation in just one day. The Troop had the opportunity then to experience street tacos near Ensenada, and a return drive through beautiful countryside of the Ruta del Vino.
With the expenses growing for materials, food and transportation, and Corin was determined to do all he could to raise funds to cover or offset these expenses to any of his volunteers. To alleviate some of the pressure, El Sauzal Orphanage was gracious enough to provide bunks in a guesthouse for all the attendees, and food was provided by Corin’s family. Others have contributed through direct donations and eating a meal at a couple of local restaurants that agreed to a profit sharing night. While he is very close to reaching his fundraising goal, he is planning to have a rummage sale in early June with another Scout who is also raising funds for his own project.
It would not have been as successful as it was if not for the mentorship of his Project Advisor, Mark Nyland, and the many other Scouters and Scouts of Troop 670 that agreed to step out of their comfort zone and cross into another country for a night, sleeping in quarters that were a far cry from what they are used to at home.
To learn more about and give to the El Sauzal Orphanage, visit the US Foundation webpage at www.elsauzal.org.
Some interesting facts:
• 1967 is the year both BSA Troop 670 and the El Sauzal Orphanage were established
• The charter organization for BSA Troop 670 is the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Cypress
• The proper name of the orphanage is “Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C.”
• Erika Espinoza is the 3rd generation Espinoza to be the Director of the Orphanage
• There is a U.S. based 501c3 Foundation that supports and provides a conduit for tax-deductible donations
To learn more about and give to the El Sauzal Orphanage, visit the US Foundation webpage at www.elsauzal.org.
