Eagle Scout obtains city permits, volunteer help to build prayer garden

Before building started on George Thompson 's Eagle Scout project in March , the 15 -year-old Centennial Hills resident called for a prayer.

"He said, 'We're gonna need all the prayers we can get,' " said his mother, Melanie Thompson .

George's journey to the Eagle Scout Award , the highest rank bestowed on a Boy Scout , took a calendar year of prayers, setbacks, Good Samaritans, city of Las Vegas red tape and gumption to bring a prayer garden at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission to fruition.

The Las Vegas Academy freshman did the grunt work leading up to the March build, wherein he directed about 30 fellow Scouts and volunteers in building the shade structure and seating area for the mission, 480 W. Bonanza Road .

Thompson, an assistant Scout leader , said her son's quest was the first time in Troop 99 's history that city permits and qualifications were needed to complete an Eagle Scout project.

Without assistance from volunteers and donations from area businesses, George's project could have cost about $8,000 , she said. The cost was in the details.

Donors covered the expense of a building permit and Dewey Construction & Development responded to George's craigslist ad for volunteer architectural assistance.

The city then required George to submit a structural engineer's report , which could have cost up to $3,000 , Thompson said.

George posted another craigslist ad and within weeks had a volunteer's support and his project report in hand.

He received city of Las Vegas clearance Jan. 31 , his birthday.

He hit the pavement and got lumber, cement, wood stain and more donated for the project.

"He knocked on a lot of doors for help," Thompson said.

George's crew broke ground March 18 , almost a year to the day since he started his project.

"I look back and I see the obstacles - huge obstacles - and I'm surprised that this dream I had in my head is here," George said.

George has been with the Boy Scouts of America Las Vegas Area Council since age 5 .

Thompson said her son's determination with the project elicited emotions in her, especially when he was delegating work to his peers and authority figures on site.

"It's a very life-changing thing to watch your child in this position," she said. "He discovered for himself that leadership means learning how to teach others to do things."

George will be able to admire his work as he volunteers monthly at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He plans to add a bird bath and more seating.

The structure is visible from Interstate 15 and is placed near the main visitor entrance and beside the chapel, said John Fogal , organization director of development .

"I love seeing it," Fogal said. "It pops back there."

Fogal said the structure not only beautifies an otherwise vacant space but also offers a refuge when the chapel is unavailable.

"It was a great collaboration between us and George," he said. "It's special to us. People can sit and rest where it's calm and safe."

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.