Two of four benches donated this morning, Sept. 11, to the Salvation Army worship and community center at 3741 Telegraph Road near Arnold went missing less than an hour after the organization received them, said Larry Hostetler, director of the Jefferson County Salvation Army.
He said the benches may have been taken by mistake.
Hostetler said the two benches were placed near the entrance of the Salvation Army’s parking lot close to Telegraph Road, and the benches disappeared before they could be secured.
“We sometimes will put produce out there for people to pick up,” Hostetler said. “I am hoping someone saw (the benches) and thought they were free, like people do after garage sales and that kind of stuff. I hope it was just a misunderstanding.”
William Pagano, 16, of Imperial made the four benches for the Salvation Army as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Pagano said he delivered the benches to the Salvation Army at about 10 a.m.
Within an hour, the benches were discovered missing, Hostetler said.
Pagano said he couldn’t believe the benches were taken when he first learned about it.
“My grandpa (Dennis Mueller, who works at the Salvation Army) called me and I thought he was joking at first,” said Pagano, a member of Troop 450 and Seckman High School student. “It took a lot of time to make those. I hope it was just a misunderstanding and they are brought back.”
Hostetler said the benches can be converted into picnic tables by adjusting the backs of two benches and putting them together.
He said he had recommended Pagano make the benches for the Salvation Army to provide outdoor seating for those who come to the location before the building is open.
Hostetler said he reported the theft to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since the Salvation Army is just outside the Arnold city limits.
He said the two remaining benches are now secured on the Salvation Army property.
“We just hadn’t gotten around to chaining and anchoring (the benches that went missing),” he said.
Pagano said he began working on the project in May and expects to present his finished project to the review board in November in order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
According to the Boy Scouts of America, only about 4 percent of all members earn the rank of Eagle. In addition to designing and making a service project – and often recruiting fellow Scouts to help – Eagle Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges.
Pagano said he has earned 23 badges.
He said he decided to create something for the Salvation Army because his grandfather works there and wanted to do something that would help people.
“My grandpa told me (the Salvation Army) could probably use an Eagle Scout project of any kind,” Pagano said. “I went up there and talked to Larry, and we decided on the benches.
“I was thinking of making a take-a-book, leave-a-book box, but we talked about the benches. I thought that would be a better idea because people were having to sit outside on the ground.”
Hostetler said the benches may be returned to the Salvation Army.
Anyone with information about the missing benches should call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.