Troop 147 Transforms a Backyard and Lifts Community Spirits
On February 22, 2025, Scouts BSA Troop 147 took part in a heartwarming act of service that exemplifies the true spirit of Scouting. The troop was asked to lend a hand to Michele and her 99-year-old mother, who needed help with their overgrown backyard. Without hesitation, Troop 147 got to work, transforming the yard into a safe and beautiful space.
This incredible act of service shows how Scouts are not just about earning badges and camping trips—they’re about making a real impact in their communities, helping others, and spreading kindness wherever they go.
"No matter how busy we get with life, it is important to remember to be of service to others in need. Your acts of kindness will have a ripple effect on all around you."
With cheerful smiles and a positive attitude, the Scouts rolled up their sleeves and worked hard, turning the yard from a jungle into a “new paradise” for Michele and her mother. Their hard work has provided a space where Michele and her mother can now sit and enjoy their time together, in a place that is safe and welcoming.
Here are just a few thank you notes that highlight the difference Troop 147 made:
Thank You Note from Michele Michot:
I am so grateful to the Boy Scouts and their leaders for taking the time to come and clean up my backyard. It was quite a project, more like a jungle, and the boys didn’t complain; they got right to work with enthusiasm and joy. They made it an adventure, and their youth and enthusiasm definitely rubbed off on us older folks! It really felt like a community coming together to help their neighbors, and my 99-year-old mother and I are still reveling in that reality every time we go out and sit in the yard, which now is a paradise for us. We cannot thank you enough! —Michele Michot (Homeowner)
Thank You Note from Irma Romero:
To the Leaders and Boy Scouts, I’d like to thank you and let you know how much we all appreciate all the hard work you put in and the joy that was brought to Michele and her 99-year-old mother.
—Irma Romero (Friend of homeowner and community care center liaison)
Thank You Note from Marsha Macaluso:
Dear JP and Troop 147, I just can’t thank you all enough for your hard work. The yard was truly transformed into a space that is now safe for Michele and her 99-year-old mother to sit and be comfortable. So extremely grateful for all you did.
—Marsha Macaluso (Friend of Homeowner who reached out to Judy Walden, Unit Coach with Scouting Arizona)
Troop 147’s efforts didn’t just provide physical help; they gave Michele and her mother a renewed sense of joy, safety, and comfort. This is truly an example of Scouting at its finest making a positive impact in the community.
Thank you, Troop 147, for your hard work and dedication. Keep up the great work!
