A Scout’s Honor

When Beds & Britches Etc. (B.A.B.E) Program Manager Kathleen Kraner learned that the Lafayette Street B.A.B.E. store would receive a free “makeover,” she had no idea what to expect. Two-hundred man hours later, 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate Marshall Peterson of Granger and his volunteer crew had made the promise a reality.

Serving over 2,700 local clients each year, B.A.B.E. provides goods and services to new parents to nurture healthy babies through coupons earned by attending parenting classes, keeping prenatal appointments, and other activities. Last year, for example, the store distributed a whopping 37,000 diapers with the coupon system.

Beth Peterson, Group Practice Manager at Beacon Medical Group, is Marshall’s troop leader (and mom). She suggested that Marshall tackle some of Kathleen’s wish list items for the store as his Eagle Scout project, the highest award ranking in Boy Scouts. After talking with Kathleen, Marshall completed a comprehensive plan to help her organize the store as well as make it more inviting for clients. He solicited $1,200 in donations from friends and family members to buy supplies. Then, Marshall and his volunteers started their work on the store.

Over the course of a month, Marshall and his volunteer corps invested many hours on the improvements, including two long work days with dozens of Boy Scouts and a 10-hour work day with adult volunteers. Together, they installed a new countertop and painted a colorful design on the front desk, constructed a bank of bins for quickly sorting children’s clothes, and meticulously organized the storage room. And, because Marshall found the most economical sources for supplies, he was able to present Kathleen with a check for $420 to buy diapers for the store.

“We’re very grateful for all he’s done,” says Kathleen. “We’re blessed to have this place, and we’re blessed to have people like Marshall and his mother. It’s really just overwhelming – it’s so beautiful.”

Eagle Scout candidate Marshall Peterson and (B.A.B.E) Program Manager Kathleen Kraner

How You Can Help B.A.B.E.

Beds & Britches Etc. relies on community donations year around to help meet the needs of families in our area. Contact Kathleen Kraner at kkraner@beaconhealthsystem.com or at 574.647.2201 if you would like to donate any of the following items:

• Clothing for babies, toddlers and children
• Larger-sized diapers
• Onesies
• Receiving blankets and blankets for playing on the floor
• Toys and books, especially educational items