Last month, 15-year-old Boy Scout Peter Zirillo collected hundreds of supplies—toiletries, socks, gum, candy, and writing supplies—for active duty troops serving in the Middle East. Zirillo, a Whitestone resident and student from Archbishop Molloy High School who belongs to local Troop 235, organized the drive in coordination with St. Mel Parish on 154th Street, and spread the word by posting flyers in his community.
After collecting hundreds of supplies at the church, Zirillo teamed up with family and friends to pack everything up. The supplies were then handed over to representatives from the 361st Public Affairs Operations Center in Fort Totten.
The teen also raised about $1,300, which he used to shop for additional supplies at local wholesale stores.
For his efforts, Zirillo, who first started as a Cub Scout when he was eight years old, will receive the Boy Scouts’ highest honor—he will become an Eagle Scout by the end of the summer.
“It’s the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, so basically it’s been my end goal,” Zirillo told QNS. “To me, that’s what I wanted to do from a young age. It shows people that you have leadership skills and that you’re able to get things done.”
Since the Eagle Scout award was established in 1912, just 2.01 percent of eligible Scouts have earned the honor, according to Scouting Magazine.
“I’m really proud of him,” Peter’s mom Felicia Zirillo told QNS. “He’s a very hard worker and very organized and he really wanted to do something to give back.”
