Q&A about Eagle Scout Project with Phil Schlesinger
5/04/2016
Second Chance Toys is blessed to have partners and volunteers from all walks of life. One of SCT’s newer collaborators is Phil Schlesinger, a high school student from Long Island. Phil began a toy collection drive tied to his Eagle Scout Project with Boy Scout Troop 106. The collection launched at Middle Village’s Trinity Lutheran Church on April 16 and ended on April 27. He collected 500 toys!
Phil answered some questions for the SCT blog about his Toy Drive and plenty more. This is far from Phil’s first volunteer work. For more information on Phil’s project, click on over to www.facebook.com/philseaglescoutproject.
When did you start as a scout?
Philip Schlesinger: I started as a Cub Scout in the first grade when I was six years old. My Cub Scout pack had advertised in my school and I decided to go and check it out. I started with Boy Scouts at age 11 when I crossed over from the Cub Scout pack.
How did you first find out about Second Chance Toys?
Phil: I saw the segment on Good Morning America and I thought, "Wow, this is a really good idea for a charity, keeping the plastic out of landfills and helping kids at the same time." And that's when I had the idea to do this for my Eagle Scout Project. I started working with Second Chance Toys when I signed up online about a month ago.
Tell me more about your recent work with Second Chance Toys. Who are the toys collected going to?
Phil: The toys are going to local children in need at the International Children's School in Flushing, Queens.
Is the first time you have done charity work?
Phil: No, this is not the first time that I have done charity work. I have always participated in this type of work as part of my troop, but this is the first time I will be organizing and managing an entire project myself. Our troop tries to participate in community service on a regular basis -- coat drives, food for soup kitchens and food banks, etc. We donated several truckloads of supplies to the Rockaways after Hurricane Sandy. One of the things I was most proud of was raising over $500 going door-to-door one afternoon, which was used for school supplies after Hurricane Sandy to benefit the affected communities.
What inspires you most to do good for your opportunity?
Phil: Smiles on people's faces, little kids saying thank you, the response back from the community, and knowing that I'm just doing my part.
Did you have a favorite toy when you were younger?
Phil: My favorite toy was a LeapPad and other educational toys.
When you're not busy with school or the scouts, how do you like to spend your free time?
Phil: I usually spend my free time either hanging out with my friends or playing guitar.
Darren Paltrowitz is a New York based writer. He can be followed on Twitter under the handle @Paltrowitz and contacted through his website, www.paltrowitz.com.
