Jake, who has been passionate about feeding the hungry since a visit to the Heifer International headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas when he was 11, wanted to create a source of fresh food for those in need in Hunterdon County.
Jacob Nemeth, of Clinton Township, was honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor on Jan. 10, at the Flemington Jewish Community Center. (courtesy photo)Jacob Nemeth, of Clinton Township, was honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor on Jan. 10, at the Flemington Jewish Community Center. Jake, a member of Troop 55 in Highland Park, reached Boy Scouting's highest rank by completing requirements for lower ranks, earning 36 merit badges, (15 more than the required number), serving as Leave No Trace Trainer for his troop and Den Chief to a Cub Scout den, and leading a large-scale service project to benefit his community.
Jake, who has been passionate about feeding the hungry since a visit to the Heifer International headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas when he was 11, wanted to create a source of fresh food for those in need in Hunterdon County. After obtaining donated materials from local merchants, Jake lead volunteers in the construction of a 30' x 40' community garden on dedicated land at the Flemington Jewish Community Center.
Once built, the garden was turned over to Hunterdon County's The Giving Garden. Giving Garden volunteers planted, harvested, and distributed fresh produce to local food banks including the Frenchtown Food Pantry and Starfish Food Pantry in Whitehouse Station. They will continue to do so as long as there is need and volunteer gardeners to fulfill the need.
Maggie D'Aversa, The Giving Garden founder, spoke about the garden project at Jake's Court of Honor. Other guest speakers included Congressman Leonard Lance, Justin Footerman of the Patriots' Path President's Council, Ken Nerger, former Den Leader whom Jake served under as Den Chief, and Troop 55 Scoutmaster, Sheldon Freidenreich who presented Jake with his Eagle patch and certificate.
Troop 55 Senior Patrol Leader, Eric Yang, led the Opening Ceremony, Troop Committee Member, Steven White, gave a D'var Torah, Assistant Scoutmaster, Dr. Richard Kleinmann, spoke of the significance of the Eagle award, and Eagle Scout Asher Marks gave the Eagle Charge. Troop Committee Chair, Marsha Goldwasser, was a wonderful MC.
It is customary for an Eagle Scout to present three pins to people without whose help becoming Eagle would have been less possible. Jake presented pins to each of his parents, Pam and Jonathan Nemeth of Clinton Township, and a special mentor pin to his former Cub Scout den leader, Glenn Boyd of Annandale, in recognition of the immeasurable help given with the Eagle project and for being an important influence on his entire Scouting career.
Jake is the grandson of the late Marvin Nemeth, an Eagle Scout. His brothers, Zach and Nate, also plan on becoming Eagle Scouts. Jake is a graduate of Voorhees High School where he was Student Council secretary and earned varsity letters in football and wrestling. He is presently a freshman at the University of Hartford where he is studying Communications. Jake continues to care for those needing food by volunteering at Food Share in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
Jake would like to invite community members to become Giving Garden volunteers this next growing season. For information, contact Maggie D'Aversa at 908-894-2060.