Local Scout Earns Eagle Rank, Seeks Donations to Complete Project
The Mascoutah Rotary donated $300 to new Eagle Scout Maia Fefferman’s eagle scout project, which involved creating shade structures for Partners for Pets Animal Shelter. (From left to right: Mascoutah Rotary President Kailee Conner, Rotary member Jim Trobaugh, New Eagle Scout Maia Fefferman, and mother Diane Fefferman.)
By Zachary Daum
Maia Fefferman, a 16-year-old junior in high school and member of Mascoutah Troop 8144, recently earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank on December 12. She is the second female in her troop to achieve this milestone. Fefferman’s Eagle Project involved installing sun shades in the dog play yards at Partners for Pets animal shelter, addressing the lack of durable shade in the facility’s six outdoor yards.
“My project was the development, creation,and installation of four sun shades in the outdoor pet yards at Partners for Pets,” said Fefferman. “They have six play yards at the rescue but lacked any shade other than makeshift shades that never lasted very long.”
Due to the artificial turf in the play yards, Fefferman had to adapt her project to avoid digging into the ground to mount the posts. “My Eagle Project coach, Linda Whitmore, helped me get expert help from an engineer to determine how much weight was needed to hold the shades in place against any strong winds,” Fefferman explained. “Based on this determination, my mother helped me figure out the size of containers and the proper amount of concrete needed in the containers for each post.”
With the help of family, friends, and a few scouts, construction and installation took two weekends to complete. The project resulted in durable and visually appealing sun shades in four of the six yards.
The total cost of the project was $2,843, and Fefferman has raised $1,517 to date, thanks to contributions from family, friends, The Home Depot in Belleville, Twist & Bounce LLC, and the Mascoutah Rotary Club. “I am grateful for the donations so far,” said Fefferman. “The Mascoutah Noon Lions Club has recently been in contact and has expressed interest in making a contribution too.”
Fefferman is seeking additional donations to help cover the remaining project costs. “If people wish to contribute donations toward the outstanding costs, please contact Diane Fefferman at [email protected],” she said. “Any funds raised beyond covering the project cost will be donated to the beneficiary, Partners for Pets.”
Reflecting on her achievement, Fefferman shared her pride in continuing a family legacy. “My parents are extremely proud that all three of their children are now Eagle Scouts. My brother Levi earned his Eagle in 2021, and Ethan earned his Eagle this past May.”
I too am a Fefferman. Congratulations on the accomplishment of you and your family. My grandparents came over to the U,S. from Poland. My brother has followed our genealogy and there are many “Feffs”