Mason Kilper’s Eagle Scout project will provide comfort to local children dealing with traumatic situations.
Kilper, 13, of High Ridge has collected 4,000 stuffed animals to be distributed to first responders, who in turn will use the plushies to help children in emergencies.
“It will hopefully calm them down in a situation, hopefully distract and comfort them while they wait,” he said.
Kilper recently delivered his second batch of stuffed animals. They went to the Byrnes Mill Police Department. His first delivery went to the Ladue Fire Department, where one of Kilper’s family members works.
The Byrnes Mill Police Department appreciated the gift, Chief Frank T. Selvaggio said.
“Thank you, Mason; what a great way to make a positive impact in your community,” the Police Department said in a written statement.
Selvaggio said the donation will be helpful because the stuffed animals can provide children with a sense of security and comfort.
“It’s very important,” he said. “If they are involved in a car crash or there’s a problem in their home, such as a domestic dispute, we want to try and get the children calmed down as fast as we can.
“I’m an Eagle Scout myself, so this hit a little closer to home. I think it’s a great project that he’s come up with.”
Selvaggio said the stuffed animals will be distributed to officers who will hand them out to children who need them.
Kilper’s project began in March when the idea for the project was approved by a board of Boy Scout leaders. He started by placing donation boxes around buildings in the Mehlville School District, where his mom, April Kilper, works.
Many stuffed animals came from Toys for Tots, which gave them to Kilper during a drive he held at the Five Below store in Fenton.
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve runs the Toys for Tots program, which distributes toys to children in need during the Christmas season.
Kilper said some of his fellow Scouts helped him with the drive at Five Below.
He said he also raised $1,000 through donation events at the Weber’s Front Row restaurants in Arnold and Webster Groves.
Kilper, a student at Washington Middle School in the Mehlville School District, said in order to receive the rank of Eagle Scout he must finish the project, earn some more merit badges and fill out the necessary paperwork.
He hopes to finish all that by the fall when he turns 14. He said he wants to beat his brother, Tyler, who became an Eagle Scout when he was 14.
Kilper first joined Cub Scouts when he was in first grade and moved on to Boy Scouts in fifth grade.
He said his favorite Scout activities include camping and hanging out with fellow Scouts.
“I’ve learned a bunch of life skills,” Kilper said. “I want to help other Scouts get to Eagle (ranking).”
“We’re incredibly proud of him for wanting to find (a project) that could help the community and help other kids,” Kilper’s mother said.
“I was just astounded when at age 12 he came up with the idea.”
Now, the task of distributing the thousands of stuffed animals that fill April’s living room and breakfast room begins. Kilper is reaching out to as many first responders as possible to see if they want some of the stuffed animals.
Any first responders interested in the stuffed animals can email Kilper at masonkilper@gmail.com.