Liam Smartt comes from a long line of Eagle Scouts and he too wanted to earn this honor. He knew that just setting the goal wasn’t going to be enough, but working diligently and gaining courage would be required. As a shy 13-year-old young man, reaching out to ask for help, donations and just leading other people was going to be a challenge.

Liam Smartt comes from a long line of Eagle Scouts and he too wanted to earn this honor. He knew that just setting the goal wasn’t going to be enough, but working diligently and gaining courage would be required. As a shy 13-year-old young man, reaching out to ask for help, donations and just leading other people was going to be a challenge.

Liam knew that he wanted to do a shoe drive and after quite a bit of research, he was excited to choose MORE Foundation and help their efforts. He set aside a full month to place boxes throughout the Chattanooga area. He called around and sent emails to various places to get permission to let him place a shoe collection box for his project. He was able to get permission with the YMCA, two churches, his school, two shoe stores, and at our home (for family and friends). He then created an eye-catching flyer, and he was able to receive donations to have all his flyers printed for free from Office Depot and his dad’s work. The box placed at the school was a great hurdle as he had to present his project and plan in front of his 8th-grade class.

Aside from placing boxes around the area, he wanted to make sure he collected enough shoes. He then coordinated a group of volunteers and reached out to two large neighborhoods, that would allow him to collect shoes door to door. He created a second flyer and placed it in plastic bags for every home visited. Several grocery stores donated plastic bags for him to organize the neighborhood collection. He also had to create map routes in the neighborhoods and instructions of what his volunteers needed to say to each homeowner if they had questions. He didn’t want to hit any houses twice! He truly stepped up and overcame his fears of speaking in front of others and being clear in instruction in what they needed to do to help him complete his project.

In the end, he was able to collect 6 boxes for MORE Foundation. He was excited to see his efforts bring in such results and glad to know that his project would be going to a great cause.

Liam Smartt is part of Troop 3 in Chattanooga, TN.