XENIA — Matthew Macdonald, a Life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 870, recently earned his Eagle Scout rank with a service project at Xenia-based Jeremiah Tree.

The Beavercreek freshman organized and supervised improvements to the walkways at Jeremiah Tree, a Christ-centered area ministry dedicated to offering opportunities to the homeless, addicted and impoverished.

The project was large and challenging so Macdonald started by selling more than 90 dozen cinnamon rolls to raise funds used to purchase supplies. Several local businesses, including Ernst Concrete, Gerdes Turf Farm, Kyle’s Excavating and Water Management Solutions, Phillips Companies, and Beavercreek Rental donated or contributed materials, the use of equipment, and time to the project. Most of the work was performed over the Columbus Day weekend in October.

Macdonald organized a team of seven Boy Scouts and several of their fathers and adult leaders to do the work. Johnny Stankosky provided skilled oversight throughout the project.

“I learned if a leader can get people organized you can get a lot of good work done,” Macdonald, 15, said. “Getting people organized requires a lot of communication. At first I felt like my project would be difficult, but when it was over it was great to see the results of all that hard work. I’m glad we could do something to help out.”

Troop 870 is sponsored by the Xenia Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,