August 22, 2002
For their Eagle Scout projects, Nathan Zinzer and Chris Davids — Boy Scouts from Troop 893 of Centreville — recently built shelves and organizers for the WFCM Shepherd Center in the Sully Plaza Shopping Center in Chantilly.
Nathan Zinzer, 18, tore down the old shelving and made multi-tiered shelving to display shoes for the WFCM Thrift Shop. He is the son of David and Regina Zinzer of the Westbrook community of Centreville and a 2002 graduate of Centreville High School. Nathan is interested in theater and TV production. He plans to attend classes at NOVA and take ROTC at GMU.
Chris Davids, 16, built shelving for the WFCM Food Pantry, transported and assembled it there. He is the son of Raymond "Hondo" Davids and Migi Davids of Virginia Chase in Centreville and a rising senior at Westfield High School. He plays varsity football and is involved in Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Science Club and interested in computers, airplanes and magic cards.
"I WAS REALLY impressed by the degree they had prepared for it," said Betsy Burkart, Clothes Closet Manager for the Chantilly charity.
The Scouts were required to complete a detailed diary describing the process of planning, managing, and completing their efforts as a record of their leadership.
Burkart described "an impressive group effort" last March on the part of the dozen Scouts who participated in the project.
THE SHEPHERD CENTER'S Thrift Shop sells men's, women's and children's second-hand clothing at low prices to benefit the general fund of WFCM. It serves Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax Station and Fairfax (ZIP code 22033 only).
WFCM helps people in need with food, rent payments, utility bills, medical bills, transportation and clothing, according to Dorothy Fonow, who manages the Shepherd Center.
Hondo Davids, the Troop's Scoutmaster, said the projects required that both boys supervise and manage the installation in order to demonstrate their leadership abilities.
The project is part of the process necessary for a Life Scout to become an Eagle Scout. Also required are an exhaustive application and several letters of recommendation, which must be submitted to a board of review. Troop 893 is part of the National Capital Area Council, located in Bethesda.
WFCM is currently in need of volunteers for weekday and weekend shifts at the Shepherd Center, which is located in Chantilly next to the Kmart. Visit the Web page at www.wfcmva.org or via telephone on the volunteer line at 703-378-3045.