Editor’s Note: This is the third story in a series of articles part of a special print edition highlighting senior citizens in the community. Visit local businesses to pick up your copy or reach out to [email protected].
Jim Guy has raised over $50,000 over the last 20 years in hopes of starting a youth center in Eudora. And the way he did it? Collecting aluminum cans in town.
Guy was a Cub Scout and Eagle Scout leader from the ‘60s to ‘80s. During his about 30 years as leader, he saw many of Eudora’s Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts and then leaders themselves.
Guy said he retired three times but kept coming back to educate kids and go camping, which are some of his favorite memories. It was always important to have a positive impact on the Scouts, he said.
Although he’s retired from leading, that hasn’t stopped him from advocating for what he believes.
Guy’s project started when the Scouts were no longer able to meet at their former location. He decided it was vital to build a youth center in Eudora for both the Scouts to store their belongings and meet, and for other area children to spend time. He believes a youth center is a vital need in the community.
A sister-in-law inspired him to start saving cans in their trailer to turn in for money at the recycling center in Lawrence. Now he has two trailers. One sits near Sonic and the other outside the Public Safety building’s parking lot.
When the trailers are full, he drives to each location in his box truck, fills it to the brim and takes the cans to Lawrence. The recycling center gives him about $300 each time. Over the last two decades, that means he’s taken at least 170 trips to the center.
He said it’d be a dream come true to see a youth center built before he passes.
Guy has a significant amount of money to start building a space, but he needs land.
His loved ones hope someone will eventually donate land for the center, but said there is a lack of knowledge about his project. His supporters hope a future center is named in Guy’s memory and that others will one day take over his cause.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].
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