Eagle Scout hopeful leads church’s landscape makeover

Originally Published In the Daily Republic on September 28 2015, by Amy Maginnis-Honey

Garret Gravink was growing tired of the not-so-happy looking daisies by his church.
At the same time, his church was looking for ways to make the landscape a little less inviting to people who sleep there and often discard garbage.
The two were united in Gravink’s Eagle Scout project.
For the past two weekends, the Rodriguez High School senior has been helped by the youth group at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, his fellow Boy Scouts Troop 853 members and adult volunteers replacing landscaping at the Union Avenue church.
Some drought-resistant plants and bark were placed in the walkway between the church and multipurpose rooms on Sunday.
The first work day involved pulling out some bushes and the drooping daisies.
Gravink grew up in the church and scouting. He’s part of the youth group and the praise band at St. Mark’s.
Organizing the Eagle Scout project came shortly after he returned from his sixth mission trip with the church building homes in Tijuana.
“I had the basic idea before we left (on the trip),” he said.
Gravink had to present his plan to the church and Boy Scouts council. He recruited volunteers and supplies.
He researched plants before seeking donations.
On Sunday, he got to be “the boss” although he was carrying around supplies to help the others.
“He’s done a fantastic job,” said the Rev. Todd Bertani, St. Mark’s pastor.
“It’s good fellowship,” added Ron Armenta Jr., the church’s youth leader.
The reason for choosing the church as his Eagle Scout project recipient was quite simple: “I like my church,” he said.
Now, Gravink needs to write up his report on how everything went.
According to the Boy Scouts of America, about 60,000 scouts, about 7 percent, earn the rank of Eagle Scout annually.