CHOCOWINITY — When Jacob Edwards was searching for inspiration for his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t have to look further than his own family.

His late uncle, J.R. Hill, was instrumental in the establishment of the Chocowinity Recreation Complex, where he later served as coach. So Jacob decided to honor his uncle while also filling a need in the community.

To that end, the Eagle Scout candidate decided to build boxes to hold baseball gloves, bats and helmets at the complex. He saw a need for the boxes while watching his younger brother Jameson play ball there.

The son of John and Shelia Edwards of Chocowinity, the Southside High School senior began working on the project with help from his fellow Scouts and troop leaders. Materials were donated by the recreation department, according to his mom.

“I enjoy working with the guys,” Jacob said during a break in a recent work session. “It’s a lot of fun getting everything organized.”

Jacob’s goal is to have the project completed within the next few months.

This project is one of the final steps to reaching the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, which is achieved by only about three percent of Scouts.

“Since 1910, there have been just over two million young men who have become Eagle Scouts,” said Robbie King, Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 99, which is sponsored by First United Methodist Church in Washington.

One of the requirements is that an Eagle Scout candidate undertake a community service project.

“He has to go out and find something that the community needs,” King said. “Some do stuff for churches and some for rec departments and other community organizations.”

Once a candidate decides on a project, he has to present a detailed plan for approval. Then the actual work begins.

“We like for Scouts to have 100 man hours in their project,” King said. “That includes his time and the time of the other Scouts he is leading.”

Planning, organizational skills and leadership abilities are important components of the project. An Eagle Scout candidate must also earn 21 merit badges along the way and be an active member of their troop.

Jacob became involved in Scouting while in first grade, and even with the anticipated completion of his Eagle Scout rank he said he has no plans to leave his troop.

“I want to become an adult leader and help out, still give advice to the new Scouts,” he said.