OKEMOS - For many students, it is the months of freedom they call summertime. But here at Chippewa Middle School, several students chipped away, taking on a project to make the schools green house a bit greener.

In order to advance rankings in the Boy Scouts of America from a life scout to an eagle scout, Okemos sophomore Charlie Mahoney, brought out a crew of friends and family to renovate the Chippewa Middle School greenhouse.

"It makes a big difference when you see the kids putting back into the community,” said Chippewa seventh grade teacher Matt Prinz.

Prinz who gave Charlie the project said the greenhouse was slowly falling apart.

"There were a lot of holes in the panel that was leaking, mice were getting in and destroying crops,” Prinz said.

So the week after school ended, Mahoney got right to work.

"We took paint scrapers, paint brushes and rags to clean out the green house,” Mahoney said.

Through various fundraisers and donations, Mahoney was able to raise enough money to complete phase one which included cleaning and repainting the greenhouse.

One of the contributing funds came from the Meridian Senior Center.
For the past months, the Senior Center has hosted a can drive to help and promoted Mahoney’s cause in the weekly newsletter.

But even though the greenhouse is polished with new white interior paint, the project is at a standstill until more money is raised to begin phase two. Phase two include taking off the 18 clouded polycarbonate glass panels and replacing them with new ones. By replacing the panels, more light will be able to shine though which will help grow the plants inside much faster than has in the past.

Once completed, Chippewa Middle School plans on using the greenhouse in the school curriculum for a more hands on experience in subjects such as science, health, and business management.

Even the seniors will be able to get their hands a little dirty too.

"The Meridian Senior Center really wants to work with us a little closer and Meridian Township as well to put a generational garden club together,” Prinz said.

But underneath it all, the project will help Charlie get what he came for in the first place.

“I like what the Eagle Scouts stand for and it’s something I think every Boy Scout should at least try to fulfill,” added Prinz.

The project is expected to be complete by mid-August.