BLEACHERS REBUILT TEEN LEADS WORK CREW FOR DISABLED.

Byline: Daily News

SANTA CLARITA - A year before Nick Jarvis began planning and organizing his Eagle Scout project, he knew exactly what task he wanted to undertake.

During the summer of 2002, the teenager volunteered to help at Carousel Ranch, where horseback riding provides therapy for physically and developmentally disabled children. Jarvis, a Scout in Troop 316, knew after his first session of volunteering that he wanted to help at Carousel Ranch as his Eagle Scout project.

``Helping out at Carousel just changed my life and my perspective,'' Jarvis said. ``It showed me how many things in life I take for granted and how ignorant I had been toward the many blessings God had granted me. I just had to give something back to all the people who are a part of this amazing place.''

When ready to begin his project, Jarvis met with Carousel Ranch directors Becky Graham and Denise Tomey and was shown a set of weathered bleachers and a wheelchair ramp, used for mounting the horses, that were in obvious need of restoration.

With the measurements he took and a supply list in hand, Jarvis set out to find local businesses willing to donate the materials for his project. Newhall Hardware owners specially ordered and donated stainless steel nuts, bolts and washers for the bleachers, so that rust and corrosion could be avoided in the future. At Lowe's, Ray Cerda and his management team secured new wood to replace the boards on the bleachers, as well as all-weather paint for the bleachers and the ramp.

``It's a great feeling to experience people eagerly wanting to help out Carousel Ranch,'' Jarvis said.

Starting July 7, Jarvis got help from 25 other Troop 316 members and their dads rebuilding, priming and painting the bleachers and refinishing the ramp. In all, the project took about 193 man-hours.

``Everything went so smoothly, and the guys and dads from Troop 316 worked so hard,'' he said. ``I hope others in the community will become aware of how the people and horses at Carousel Ranch benefit the special families that come here.''

``It's really an amazing place and could use our community's help in many ways.''

Jarvis, a senior at Santa Clarita Christian School, is finishing up paperwork for his project and awaiting a verdict form the Boy Scouts of America on whether he fulfilled requirements. In the meantime, he plans to continue to volunteer at Carousel Ranch, practice football with the his school team and enjoy the rest of the summer.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Scout Troop 316 members and dads sit on bleachers they rebuilt at a therapy ranch for disabled children.

(2) Nick Jarvis

Eagle Scout candidate