The Boyertown Salvation Army now has a new LED sign thanks to local Boy Scout Chad Gamler. The sign was placed at the Reading Avenue location in July and is now being used to announce upcoming events.
Salvation Army Lieutenant Joseph Smith said Gamler had reached out about possible projects to take on to serve as his Eagle Scout project.
“I suggested the sign to be repainted and refurbished kind of thing, our old sign,” said Smith. “He emailed back and said ‘have you ever considered a new sign or LED sign?’ I said yes, but I didn’t want to use the funds for that.”
Gamler ensured the Salvation Army that the fundraising for the sign would be his responsibility and would serve as a part of the overall project. Through the following contributors – Graber Letterin’ Signs, Gabelsville Athletic Associaton, Global Advanced Metals, Body-Borneman Insurance, Ad Moyer, Boy Scout Troop 505, TL Conrad Electric Inc. – he was able to reach his goal of $3,500.
“He chose a sign that would need no maintenance; it’s all plastic,” said Smith. “It makes it a lot easier.”
The old sign was wooden and painted blue. The letters has to be manually placed. Smith described it as old and outdated, and was grateful Gamler was able to complete the project.
“It was a true blessing, he kind of came up with the whole thing. I approved the sign and all the stuff along the way, but he did a great job. This is the kind of stuff that we love – to be able to partner up with others in the community for a good cause. This is something that’s going to last for a long time.”
Gamler explained how, as a Boy Scout, he has had to do many community projects to progress through the ranks. “I’ve always had this place to come to for my service projects. When it came down to do my big Eagle Scout project, this was the first place I came to.”
He said when he initially reached out to the Salvation Army, Lieutenant Smith provided several ideas. Gamler chose to replace the sign.
“It took us a little bit longer than we thought to get it done. The first day we came, we got just the base up, and then we came back to the LED part. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.”
Several of Gamler’s Troop members, friends, and family helped to remove the old sign and install in the new one. Once the new sign was installed, flowers were planted around the base.
“I think the hardest part was the LED sign, because that’s a new thing. We weren’t sure how we were going to hang it. That too the longest and that was the most painstaking part of putting that up.”
With the completion of this project, Gamler can now he can submit his application to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
“It’s a big achievement. I’ve been in Boy Scouts since I was in fourth grade.”
