By Bridget Albert
John Zdrowski with one of the 55 winterized cat igloos he is constructing.
When John Zdrowski was younger he couldn’t participate in many physical activities as he was under treatment for a cardiac condition. His mother, Caterina, noticed that he was missing companionship so she took him to the local animal shelter and they found his new best friend Jake, a beautiful and loyal feline. The two were inseparable for many years.
Jake has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge and John has two other animal companions that keep him company but he has never forgotten the bond that developed with the furry feline.
And because of this fond memory John has chosen to help local animals in his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Service Project.
The BSA is an organization that promotes preparedness, leadership and responsibility. Attaining the level of Eagle Scout is the highest honor afforded a boy scout. Candidates for the Eagle Scout must satisfy a number of challenges. One of the requirements for the Eagle Scout is “to plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project”.
John’s ambitious Eagle Scout project is three-fold. He is making 55 feline igloos for feral felines. Of those 55 igloos he is creating 45 of them for Amity Animal Rescue Fund, a 501c3 local organization that supports animals in the Amity region. The other 10 igloos will be donated to Dr. Kristine Matz for use with her feral cats.
The igloos have to be insulated and John will lead his team in cutting and gluing the insulation into place.
These will be distributed to the numerous cat colonies that AARF is assisting with.
Two other projects John is working on are at the municipal animal shelter, District Animal Control, located on Bradley Road in Woodbridge. There he will be repairing some damaged fencing and replacing a door.
The 12 active Scouts in Troop 907 in Woodbridge need to raise $1,400 for the cat igloos alone and are looking for donations.
John will be completing his animal related Eagle Scout projects with the assistance of Scoutmaster Paul Konweski and Assistant Scout Master Nate Case, both Woodbridge firemen.
John said the Eagle Scout badge will be an accomplishment as he couldn’t participate in sports for a number of years due to his heart issues.
His heart is now alright and he is on the hockey team where he plays on the Milford house league.
John said donations for the project are greatly appreciated and he would prefer to receive gift cards from Lowes or Walmart where he will be purchasing his supplies. Donations can be sent to Boy Scout Troop 907, C/O Caterina Zdrowski, 60 Tumblebrook Road, Woodbridge, CT. 06525.
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