“Doing a Good Turn Daily”: One Scout’s Mission to Share Hope

Scouting America’s motto is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” To Allie Samaan, these aren’t just words to recite. They’re words to live by.

In January, Allie contacted Home of Hope.

She needed to partner with a nonprofit organization for her Eagle Project in Scouting America. And she knew the one she wanted to help!

In fourth grade, Allie became a Cub Scout. Through her brothers’ and her own involvement in Scouting, she heard about Home of Hope and later toured the facility.

Now, as a high schooler, Allie has moved through the Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) ranks, but she hasn’t forgotten the needs she first heard about on the tour.

“I really like the mission of supporting women and children,” she said. “When I was looking at places and opportunities for an Eagle Project, I knew I wanted to contact [Home of Hope] because it’s just amazing and a big part of the community.”

After Allie reached out to Home of Hope earlier this year, Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Pryor responded with a few ways Allie could help. One was building a pavilion on an existing, but rarely used, concrete slab outside the cafeteria.

“I thought there was something special and exciting about [moms and kids] having more space to connect and spend time outdoors with each other,” she said. “I was just thinking about the potential [a new pavilion] would have.”

So Allie decided building the pavilion would be her Eagle project. 

She sketched the blueprints for the pavilion, raised money, rallied volunteers, collected donated materials and connected with a contractor to help.

“My community was a huge part of it,” she shared. 

This summer, the pavilion was completed. Now Home of Hope has a beautiful outdoor eating area where moms, kids and visitors can enjoy the changing season. And projects like these remind moms here at Home of Hope that their community sees, cares about and is for them.

“It makes me feel honored that I could help be a tiny part of their mission,” Allie said. “What [Home of Hope] is doing for families, not only within the shelter but in the community, has a really big impact.

“I hope my project will help families create more memories and foster a place of more community.”