This online news website is owned and operated by Becky Watts. If you enjoy reading Pike County Times, consider buying an advertisement for your business or sending a donation to support the only free online newspaper in Pike County. Donations can be sent to: The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. Click here to donate through PayPal. Thanks for supporting Pike County's only free online newspaper!
Ethan Sulewski and his Dad, John. Submitted photo.
Eagle Scout Ethan Sulewski. Submitted photo.
Commander Bryan Richardson of American Legion Pike Post 197, Ethan Sulewski, and Stanley Pittman of Pittman Construction and Roofing. Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - He wanted to make a difference. Ethan Sulewski was in the 8th grade and looking for a project to complete the requirements for Eagle Scout. After generating ideas quite some time, replacing the roof at the American Legion Pike Post 197 was chosen. One grant, one quote, and a whole lot of help from his friends and family, and Ethan’s project has been completed. How did this happen?
Ethan has been a Boy Scout since he was 8 years old. His Dad, John Sulewski, has been one of his Scout leaders since that time. John said that about 1 ½ years ago, Ethan started looking for a project that he wanted to complete for his Eagle Scout rank. He is 14, and he’s a hard worker. He doesn’t do things for recognition, and he refused to do something just because it was easy.
Ethan wanted to find a project that would meet someone else’s needs. He wanted to do something that would benefit others. He also wanted a project that would help those who have served our country and a project that would have a purpose behind it. He was told that the American Legion has projects. The flagpole needs to be painted, the sign needs to be redone, but what they need the most is a roof.
The roof has been on the American Legion Pike Post 197 in Zebulon for 40 years. It was starting to leak in some places, and the offices couldn’t be finished off in one side because water would have damaged the new construction inside. Ethan heard this and chose replacing the roof at the American Legion Pike Post 197 building as his Eagle Scout project.
So a 14 year old wants to do something this huge. How does that work? And how will it be scheduled around all of the activities of an active member of Boy Scout Troop 37 out of Meansville and (then) 8th grader at Pike County Middle School?
He started with an estimate. The first estimate was for $20,000 with $6,000 to fix the leaks and basically put a band aid on the roof. That wasn’t going to work so his Dad helped him get another estimate. Detailed Metals in Griffin does a lot of work with Scouting and gave as estimate for $5,729.85 with the labor being provided by volunteers. That just might work!
Ethan and his Dad got in contact with Commander Bryan Richardson of American Legion Pike Post 197 to see what the possibilities were on this project. Richardson said that he would fill out a grant for roof materials to Upson EMC to see if they could help with the project, and the project was approved!
The next thing to do was to find people and/or businesses that could help in this endeavor. Swanton Welding donated $800 toward this project and picked up and delivered the materials for the roof. Stanley Pittman Construction out of Zebulon provided a crew to help put the roof on the building with the help of Ethan and other Scouts as well as friends and family. Stanley Pittman paid his crew $1,000 a day to help out with the project. And the city and county both waived the permit fees for this project.
Pike County Planning and Development Director Brad Vaughan said that Planning and Zoning “wholeheartedly supports Ethan and commends him for project.” Brad said that he was glad that Ethan was able to show that Scouting is still relevant and strongly encourages other organizations to consider projects in cities and in our county.
Pike County Times visited on the second day of roof installation. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 197 President Peggi Payton and her daughter Willa American Legion Auxilliary Honorary Junior President for the Department of Georgia fixed lunch for everyone who was working on the roof. Peggi was excited for the new roof and said that this project will be a very big help for the Post. Commander Richardson said, “It really has been a combined effort between two great organizations.”