Volunteerism in Action: New HOPe Farmstand Built As Eagle Scout Project by HOPe Volunteer

Matthew Hurley, a Stoughton Native and HOPe Volunteer with his Eagle Scout Project, a farm stand to support HOPe’s gardens.

Quick with a smile, Matthew Hurley, a Stoughton native and 4-year volunteer at House of Possibilities is a member of Boy Scout Troop 516 of Stoughton. Matthew recently completed his Eagle Scout Project - building a farmstand for House of Possibilities.

The Eagle Scout Service Project, or simply Eagle Project, is the opportunity for a scout in the Boy Scouts of America to demonstrate leadership while performing a project for the benefit of their community. Matthew is a junior at BC High where he participates in many clubs and activities including Model United Nations, Philosophy Club, National Honor Society, Shields Innovation Center, and tutoring.

“I am very proud of the HOPe members, am grateful to know them, and give back to the community with my Eagle Scout Project. As a House of Possibilities volunteer, my greatest experience is seeing the HOPe members grow over time. A majority of the members in the Children’s Program at HOPe, I have known since my first day. It’s great and humbling to see them grow and develop new skills and make lasting friendships. ” Matthew reflected.

The farmstand was a year-long effort in the making from the first conversation in May 2021 to completing the farm stand in April of 2022. The farmstand will display and sell produce that HOPe members grow at the HOPe Garden, a local plot at NRT pastures.

“ It took 90 hours of planning and 150 hours to build the farm stand. I worked with HOPe leadership to choose the design plan for the stand and submitted a project proposal to HOPe and my troop for approval. Project planning includes working with the adults in my troop to research materials and finalize the design measurements,“ Matthew said reflecting on the project planning process

Stoughton Boy Scout Troop 519 at House of Possibilities in Easton with the newly built farm stand.

On the weekend of April 9, 2022, 14 troop members and 4 adults from Stoughton’s Troop 516 helped build and install the vegetable stand at HOPe.

“I had 2 adults that are very well versed in building and tools, so they made the process way easier. My troop has a history of doing building projects like picnic tables, stairs, bridges, etc. It was great and in retrospect, pretty easy. The scouts were all very enthusiastic and helpful. In the end, it all turned out well.”