Jake Dandridge, a sophomore at Star Valley High School, has completed his Eagle Scout project by presenting the Afton Food Pantry with three cords of firewood that he blocked, split and bundled over the course of three months and 105 hours.

The 16-year-old son of David and Laura Dandridge, Jake is part of Etna Scout Troop 1307, which is led by Carl and Holly Scherbel.

“I just felt that it would be a good project that was suitable for helping people around here,” said Jake, in an interview with SVI Media. Jake determined in August that this was a valuable project for him to complete in working toward his Eagle Scout badge and contacted the Food Pantry to arrange the details.

Jake took a team of five people into the Greys River on August 16 and spent the day harvesting the wood, bringing it out of the River and to Jakes home. Several weeks later, the team gathered again to split and bundled the wood into 40 lb. bundles and loaded it in a trailer. He delivered 146 bundles of split and wrapped wood to the pantry the week before Thanksgiving.

“Anything you can do to help give back to the community is always amazing,” said Jake. “If you have an idea that could help people in any way, do it. Even the smallest projects can make a difference, and it will create an impact that makes others follow your lead.”

Sierra Mitchell, Afton Food Pantry Director, is pleased with Jake’s thoughtful heart and extensive effort. “We are deeply grateful to Jake Dandridge for choosing the Afton Food Pantry for his Eagle Scout project. The firewood bundles he created are more than warmth — they are comfort and hope for families facing long winter nights. Jake’s compassion and hard work will help parents, seniors, and children stay warm all season, and his kindness will be felt far beyond the woodpile.”