Billy Rizzo Eagle Project at ECAP
By Vincent La Vecchia, Committee Member, Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5
Jan. 27, 2021: Boy Scouts from Troop 5, Bronxville, recently completed five separate Eagle Scout projects despite pandemic conditions, which complicated their execution.
These projects, planned entirely by the Scouts themselves, provided support and help to the community during an incredible time of need.
The completion of a large community service project is one of the most important steps to completing the rank of Eagle Scout. Only approximately 6 percent of all eligible Boy Scouts attain the Eagle Rank, according to Scoutmaster Jon Denfeld.
The Eagle Project is conceived and executed by the Scout. It is the culmination of a Scouts training and demonstrates leadership through service to the community. Eagle Scout projects are not easy to complete and require perseverance and determination, especially during the pandemic.
Here is a description of each recent project:
The project organized by David Stinga of Yonkers consisted of the electronification (digitizing or scanning) of the columbarium records at the Village Lutheran Church in Bronxville. The project also included constructing planters, power washing the area, and repainting benches in the columbarium. David is a graduate of Iona Preparatory School and is currently a freshman at the City College of New York. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in September 2020.
David Stinga Eagle Project at Village Lutheran Church
The project organized by Benjamin Mehler of Yonkers consisted of restoring the outdoor trash receptacles at the Village Lutheran Church in Bronxville. The project including removing the older rotting wood paneling, installing new paneling, and raising money to purchase new trash cans used by both the Church and the Chapel School. Ben is a senior at Fordham Preparatory School and plans to attend Cornell University next fall. Ben achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in October 2020.
Ben Mehler Eagle Project at Village Lutheran Church
The project organized by William “Billy” Rizzo of Bronxville consisted of restoring two bathrooms at the Eastchester Community Action Partnership (E.C.A.P). This project included repainting and reflooring both bathrooms, along with installing mirrors and cabinets. Billy is a senior at Bronxville High School. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in November 2020.
The project organized by Willem Bender of Bronxville benefited the Bronxville Dog Park on Grove Lane in Bronxville. Over multiple days, Willem led Scouts, who removed dead trees, debris, and trash from the park. They planted new flowers and shrubs as well as constructed a new bench. Willem is a Sophomore at Bronxville High School and plans to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in 2021.
Willem Bender Eagle Project at Bronxville Dog Park
The project organized by James Rohr of Bronxville benefitted the Concordia Conservatory at Concordia College. The project consisted of clearing out the prop room in the Schoenfeld Conservatory Center, cleaning, patching, and repainting the room, and installing new shelving. James is a junior at Bronxville High School and plans to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in 2021.
James Rohr Eagle Project at Concordia
For more information on Troop 5, please visit their website at www.troop5.net or email the scoutmaster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photos courtesy Troop 5
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”