Troop reveals Little Free Library at Northwest Elementary in honor of late Scout
One by one, members of Boy Scout Troop 6 put a pair of books into the newly built Little Free Library box placed at the entrance of Northwest Elementary school. The sun had started to set, casting a ray of light on the golden yellow box as the intimate crowd of family members, friends and school faculty stood in silence during the ceremony.
“We’re here because of a tragedy,” superintendent Brian White said to the crowd. “But we’re also here tonight because of something beautiful.”
On Monday, May 20, the Scouts of Troop 6 revealed the first of two Little Free Libraries in honor of their late fellow Scout Aiden Lutz. The Little Free Library was an Eagle Scout service project Aiden had been planning before he died in October. With the help of current and alumni members of Troop 6, the Scouts were able to finish the project Aiden started.
“I’m hoping this will have a happy impact,” said Ryan Orsborn, 17. “For his mom for example, so every time she goes into work she can see it and know that Aiden is still helping.”
Aiden died on Oct. 20 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after being struck by a vehicle while riding his electric bike on Dutchtown Road. The 15-year-old was a sophomore at Butler Senior High School and had been part of the Scouts since he was in kindergarten.
“He was a cheerful, happy kid,” said fellow Troop 6 member Tyler Suhan, 13. “He was always there to support others.”
Fellow Troop 6 members of Aiden said this project was a perfect way to encapsulate the kind and giving nature of their friend.
“Aiden was always really competitive, but in a nice way,” said Gabriel Keppler, 13. “He never wanted to exclude people; he was always the one person you could count on. He was always there helping people if they needed it.”
Each newly placed book, which feature some of Aiden’s favorite titles, contains a commemorative message inside the cover.
Scoutmaster Jeff Orsborn led the ceremony, speaking about Aiden’s character and the morale he shared with his fellow Scouts.
“This is a recognition of Aiden’s service to Scouting and his love of Troop 6,” Orsborn said. “Aiden enjoyed reading as an elementary student and thought he would pass that enjoyment on as part of his Eagle project.”
John Stoops, assistant scoutmaster to Troop 6 and Aiden’s soccer coach, said because of the outpouring of generous donations, the troop will also be able to construct a Little Free Library at McQuistion Elementary School, the school Aiden attended.
“What happened was a tragedy,” Stoops said. “But it brought the community together a little bit.”
