Alexander Boon van Ostade knows the meaning of hard work. Boon van Ostade, a member of Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 174, stepped out of his comfort zone for his Eagle Scout project and built a set of custom cabinetry for FOCUS Center for Autism’s “Lego room”; a highly utilized activity room that was in need of renovation.

With the help of his mentor John Veldman and support from the Simsbury-Granby Rotary Club, Boon van Ostade built the cabinets, painted the walls of the “Lego Room”, and brought in the cabinets. He also raised $750 for FOCUS to use to purchase supplies. To thank him for his efforts, FOCUS honored Boon van Ostade and his family and friends at a “Thank You” dinner on March 4th. At the event, the Boon van Ostade’s surprised FOCUS with a very unexpected gift.

“As you know, we are Dutch, and when we saw this room it reminded us of something,” Dorien Boon van Ostade, mother of Alexander, began. She presented Executive Director Donna Swanson with a picture of van Gogh’s “The Room”, a gift that was much appreciated by all.

Alexander Boon van Ostade is a senior at Simsbury High School, and is the youngest of three siblings. His older brothers, Maurits and Jan Willem, also became Eagle Scouts through Troop 174. He hopes to major in business in college.

FOCUS Center for Autism is a grassroots, community based nonprofit whose mission is to help children, adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders reach their full potential by providing clinical programming, community education and family support. For more information, visit www.focuscenterforautism.org

Original Article from FOCUS center for Autism, by Colleen Burns.