WESTWOOD—Sixteen-year-old Henry Herzing is learning firsthand what it means to stick with a plan when conditions aren’t ideal.
Herzing, a member of Boy Scout Troop 350, is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout and has chosen a service project that supports children and families at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Hospital. His project centers on assembling “Healing Go Bags” — kits intended to help children and parents during unexpected hospital stays, particularly in neonatal and pediatric care units.
In early January, Herzing held his first fundraiser, a candy sale outside Stop & Shop. Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees, and fewer Scouts were able to attend than planned due to other project commitments. Still, Herzing and the volunteers who joined him stayed outside for roughly four hours.
“We ended up adjusting how we approached people,” Herzing wrote in an update to Pascack Press. Instead of asking shoppers to make purchases on the spot in the cold, the group encouraged people to scan the project’s Amazon Wish List link, allowing them to contribute later. The approach proved effective.
Despite the weather, the fundraiser raised approximately $700. Herzing said the experience was memorable not only for the amount raised, but for the conversations it sparked. Several donors shared personal stories about their connections to the hospital or their own experiences with Scouting.
“One woman told us about her family’s experience in the NICU and how much Hackensack Meridian Children’s Hospital meant to her,” Herzing wrote. “Others shared stories about family members who were Eagle Scouts, which was really meaningful to hear.”
For Herzing, the long day passed more quickly than he expected. “Even in the freezing cold, it ended up being fun, rewarding, and a great learning experience,” he wrote. He added that earlier fundraisers had been canceled due to weather, making the successful event feel like an important milestone.
A second candy sale followed on Feb. 1 at Saint Andrew’s Church, where parishioners were invited to support the project after Mass. Herzing said Father Diego announced the fundraiser at the conclusion of each service, which helped draw interest and questions from the congregation.
That fundraiser raised an additional $450. Herzing said the response from the parish community was encouraging, particularly the enthusiasm for a project focused on helping children during sudden hospital stays.
As the Eagle project continues, Herzing said more fundraisers and workdays are planned.