Kirkland resident Charles Heitz spent a lot of time at the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club when he was younger. So when he needed to find an Eagle Scout project he returned to see how he could give back to the place that gave him so much.

Charles discussed the issue with club director Bridget Powers and the two agreed he could build a cubby system for kids’ backpacks.

To attain the rank of Eagle Scout a Boy Scout must plan, prepare, determine funding and construct a community project.

The 16 year old worked for three months to complete the project. The cubby system allows for 64 cubbies for backpacks, along with four larger cubbies for various items.

“Our club members are excited about their new cubbies and have not stopped talking about them,” said Powers. “Occasionally, I will see one or two club members standing in front of the cubbies just looking at them, with a smile on their face of course. The club staff and club members are very thankful and proud of Charles and his Eagle Scout project.”

Powers said that she is constantly receiving compliments on the cubbies.

“Not only did he build the cubbies, he also painted the wall and rehung all the existing pictures,” said Chuck Heitz, Charles’ father.

Charles has been involved in Scouts since he was in the first grade and has attainted the rank of Life Scout with 34 merit badges earned. Now he has one merit badge left to earn to be eligible for the rank of Eagle Scout. Only 5 percent of all Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

“Charles was a pleasure to work with,” said Powers. “He put in a lot of hours and dedication to this project and the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club is very grateful.”