GIVING: Eagle Scouts restore signs in South Delridge and White Center

The photo and report are from Mark Ufkes:

The Scout Motto is “Do a good turn daily.”

One of the $5,000 White Center Welcome signs was so damaged by graffiti that it was unreadable and parts of another sign were stolen. Eagle Scouts Josh Paley (age 23) and Mark Ufkes (age 65), (Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!) spent the day replacing the damaged sign at 18th SW and Delridge Way, and cleaned and re-installed the White Center Rainbow and Welcome in 10 languages portions of the sign at 4th Ave SW and SW 108th that had been stolen.

They did this as their “good turn” and to remind everyone that White Center is spectacular, and to celebrate that just this month, we had 12 local girls who became the first group of female Eagle Scouts in American history. Many adult Scout leaders, including Ufkes, pushed Scouting for years to allow equal access to its exceptional programs regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

After years of advocating by hundreds of adult Eagle Scouts and parents, in 2018, girls and kids of any sexual orientation were included in Scouting programs and began the minimum two-year process required to complete the rather challenging requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

You can read about those requirements here.

9 Replies to "GIVING: Eagle Scouts restore signs in South Delridge and White Center"

  • Mel February 15, 2021 (2:57 pm)

    Thanks for sharing this story, and thanks to these gentlemen for repairing the signs. We’re fortunate to have you in our neighborhood.

  • RickB February 15, 2021 (2:58 pm)

    Thanks Josh and Mark! This White Center resident appreciates your work!

  • m February 15, 2021 (4:44 pm)

    Your work and community spirit is greatly appreciated here in South Delridge!

  • Junction Lady February 15, 2021 (7:44 pm)

    Thank you very much!

  • RJB February 16, 2021 (6:58 am)

    When bad things happen there are dozens of comments.  When something good happens only four?? THANK-YOU both for being great human beings. So nice to see nice happen.                           It is people like you that make West Seattle the great place it is!! Thanks again!!

  • cheffy30 February 16, 2021 (8:51 am)

    I’m proud to live in the best neighborhood in all of Seattle and to know that the Scouts have our backs. Thanks guys for setting the bar high for others to look up to…soup is on me this time!!

  • Danielle Burt February 16, 2021 (6:18 pm)

    Thank you for giving back to our community – we noticed it on a walk and loved the change!

  • Diane February 17, 2021 (6:09 am)

    Great work Scouts!  Thank you for your leadership and taking care of our community!

  • Laura Gebhardt February 18, 2021 (8:46 pm)

    Thank you foryour leadership. Being an Eagles out takes lots of work and determination.  My four nephews became Eagles outs in one family. Their parents were their leaders. We need more Eagle Scouts. I und e rstand the first Female aeagleScout is from Wasshingtton State. CONGRATULATIONS.  

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