This is Braedon McQuade: Eagle Scout

By Jennifer Ersalesi

For twelve years, Rutherford resident and senior at Rutherford High School, Braedon McQuade, has been a Scout. Over this past year, Braedon planned and organized his Eagle Scout project. This is Rutherford interviewed Braedon about this project and how he was able to get the community involved.

TIR: How long have you been a Scout?

Braedon McQuade: I will be finishing up my 12th year of scouting. I started as a Tiger in Cub Scouts way back in 1st grade and bridged over to Boy Scouts in 2019 as a 5th grader.

TIR: You recently completed your Eagle Scout project. Can you tell us about this project?

BM: I was lucky to stumble upon a non-profit organization out in California called "The Crayon Initiative". This company recycles broken and used crayons, and gives them a new purpose. They sanitize and melt the wax, then reshapes them into a triangular form. The reason for this is because the final product is distributed to children's hospitals across the United States. The triangle shape keeps the crayons from rolling off their trays and tables. My contribution included me reaching out to our community and gathering donations of crayons. We were able to box and drop them off at Staples, who shipped them for free to California. At the end of the day, I was able to collect over 400 lbs of crayons.

TIR: Many members of the community assisted you with this Eagle Scout project.  Who assisted and how?

BM: I was fortunate enough to reach out to "Little Sprouts" in town as well as Washington School. Both were big contributors. My mother and I constructed a post on Facebook, reaching out to our community for donations. We had dozens of town members, teachers, and Scouts donate their discarded crayons. We are so grateful for the outpouring of assistance and support from this great community, it really did take a village.

TIR: Why did you choose this particular project?

BM: I have always been a advocate and philanthropist in protecting our environment and helping to make patients' stays in hospitals more comfortable. After seeing a post from "The Crayon Initiative" on Facebook, I knew right away that this was the project for me. By no coincidence, I felt their ad was a calling to me, and turned out to be one of the most fulfilling projects I've ever taken part of.

TIR: You are a senior at RHS.  What do you plan to do after graduation?

BM: After I graduate, I will be attending college. At the current moment, I am still waiting on a few acceptance letters. My dream is to major in Education, and a minor in theater and/or performing arts.

TIR: Anything else you would like to add? 

BM: Once again, I would like to personally thank our beautiful community for coming together and helping me bring awareness to recycling and to put smiles on sick children's faces. Together, we kept 400 lbs of non-biodegradable wax from polluting our precious ecosystem, we couldn't have done it without all of you.