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Raycraft constructs Santa house
Bobby Raycraft recently constructed a Santa House for the Village of Riverton for his Eagle Scout project.
“I had considered this project in the past,” said Raycraft, though it was not the original plan for his project.
“Earlier this year I chose another project-putting in parking blocks and striping the Field of Dreams parking lot,” he noted, but the weather prevented the parking lot from
being able to be oil-and-chipped. “Without a final coat on the expanded parking area, painting and laying blocks was not the proper thing to do just to say that I had completed
my project.”
Since Raycraft wanted to complete his Eagle Scout project before the end of the year and after a trip to Decatur last month, he decided to try to get his Santa House project
approved.
Raycraft spoke to the Riverton Village Board and notified them of his intentions, with the promise he would still finish the Field of Dreams parking lot project after the surface
is complete.
Besides the goal of completing his Eagle Scout project, there were other motives behind his decision.
“I hope that this project will benefit the community during the holiday seasons for years to come, and I hope that new traditions will be started by Riverton having its own
Santa House,” he said.
Raycraft hopes local businesses and organizations “can band together and sponsor a few hours on different days” for Santa to be in town during the holiday seasons.
“Rather than going to see Santa and paying high prices at places like the mall, Riverton residents will be able to go see Santa right here in town and get a picture for a
nominal donation,” said Raycraft, the son of Tim and Tina Raycraft.
The suggested donation will be put toward maintaining the house and purchasing any supplies for the house.
Raycraft hopes to present the house to Santa Dec. 19.
Raycraft has been selling personalized ornaments to help defray costs for the house, which was constructed in two parts.
The roof comes off and the village set it on the house after it was moved, which allowed the house to be bigger while limiting the problems transporting it.
The majority of the construction was done at one of the old fire houses (in one of the old bays), and Raycraft would like to thank the Village of Riverton for their assistance,
including a $500 donation from the board.
After the holidays, village employees will move the house to a storage area until next holiday season.
The entire project has been very rewarding, according to Raycraft.
“I have learned a lot from it and hopefully I have done something nice for the community,” he said. “All of the volunteers and sponsors will be able to look at the Santa House
and be able to say, ‘I helped build that house for Santa.’”
Raycraft is also selling Christmas ornaments. They are glass balls (between 3 1/2-4 inches in diameter) available in different colors and can be personalized. The cost is
$10 and the proceeds go toward the Santa House.
Orders will be taken until supplies run out. Delivery should be within a day or two of the order. For further information, call 629-9059.
Bobby Raycraft recently constructed a Santa House for the Village of Riverton for his Eagle Scout project.
“I had considered this project in the past,” said Raycraft, though it was not the original plan for his project.
“Earlier this year I chose another project-putting in parking blocks and striping the Field of Dreams parking lot,” he noted, but the weather prevented the parking lot from
being able to be oil-and-chipped. “Without a final coat on the expanded parking area, painting and laying blocks was not the proper thing to do just to say that I had completed
my project.”
Since Raycraft wanted to complete his Eagle Scout project before the end of the year and after a trip to Decatur last month, he decided to try to get his Santa House project
approved.
Raycraft spoke to the Riverton Village Board and notified them of his intentions, with the promise he would still finish the Field of Dreams parking lot project after the surface
is complete.
Besides the goal of completing his Eagle Scout project, there were other motives behind his decision.
“I hope that this project will benefit the community during the holiday seasons for years to come, and I hope that new traditions will be started by Riverton having its own
Santa House,” he said.
Raycraft hopes local businesses and organizations “can band together and sponsor a few hours on different days” for Santa to be in town during the holiday seasons.
“Rather than going to see Santa and paying high prices at places like the mall, Riverton residents will be able to go see Santa right here in town and get a picture for a
nominal donation,” said Raycraft, the son of Tim and Tina Raycraft.
The suggested donation will be put toward maintaining the house and purchasing any supplies for the house.
Raycraft hopes to present the house to Santa Dec. 19.
Raycraft has been selling personalized ornaments to help defray costs for the house, which was constructed in two parts.
The roof comes off and the village set it on the house after it was moved, which allowed the house to be bigger while limiting the problems transporting it.
The majority of the construction was done at one of the old fire houses (in one of the old bays), and Raycraft would like to thank the Village of Riverton for their assistance,
including a $500 donation from the board.
After the holidays, village employees will move the house to a storage area until next holiday season.
The entire project has been very rewarding, according to Raycraft.
“I have learned a lot from it and hopefully I have done something nice for the community,” he said. “All of the volunteers and sponsors will be able to look at the Santa House
and be able to say, ‘I helped build that house for Santa.’”
Raycraft is also selling Christmas ornaments. They are glass balls (between 3 1/2-4 inches in diameter) available in different colors and can be personalized. The cost is
$10 and the proceeds go toward the Santa House.
Orders will be taken until supplies run out. Delivery should be within a day or two of the order. For further information, call 629-9059.
Issue Date: Dec. 17, 2009
