A Smithtown Eagle Scout earned his rank by helping renovating a nonprofit's playground for children.
James Galley spent countless hours renovating the Young Autism Program's playground and the entrance of the Development Disabilities Institute in Medford as his Eagle Scout project.
"DDI could not contribute to improving the lives of the 5,000 children and adults we serve with autism and other developmental disabilities without the generosity of people like James," said Dan Rowland, DDI's Director of Development, in a written statement. "His support plays a key role in supporting the mission of DDI. We thank James for his time and commitment to DDI and congratulate him on his accomplishments."
On his way to becoming an Eagle Scout, Galley earned 21 merit badges and served Troop 565 of Smithtown in a variety of leadership roles. He chose to help DDI with his community service project.
Galley refurbished DDI's Youth Autism Program playground by sanding and painting the swing set a bright red, then painting the rail road ties a bright blue and those top rail road ties a bright yellow so children can easily distinguish where the play area ends. He also helped to beautify the bus entrance to DDI Medford by replacing the old railroad ties, adding new mulch, white rocks, plants and a cement bench to sit and wait for the bus.
DDI is a nonprofit agency based in Smithtown with more than 30 locations through Suffolk and Nassau counties, including their Medford location. The agency provides special educational, vocational, day and residential programs, as well as healthcare services for over 5,000 children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities.
