When the San Antonio Time Dollar Community Connections’ tool shed was destroyed, and all of their equipment was stolen in 2007, the gardening and beautification efforts at El Jardin de La Esperanza Community Garden seemed in doubt.

Jordan Arias, though, showed the value of community service, making a difference for all San Antonians. Arias, a 17-year-old senior at Alamo Heights High School, embarked on a community service project to restore the property of an organization long devoted to helping the community around them. Arias' project, which would earn him recognition as an Eagle Scout, the highest attainable rank in the Boy Scouts of America, was even worthy of a letter to President Obama.

The Time Dollar Foundation employs volunteers to help around the community, involving itself by offering a community vegetable garden, food pantry, classrooms for domestic violence workshops, after school tutoring, adult and child gardening workshops, and parenting classes. After a break-in and robbery of their tool shed at El Jardin de La Esperanza Community Garden, the Time Dollar staff was forced to store the equipment, which had been replaced, inside their already too-cozy offices and rooms that could be better used as classrooms. Arias, along with his team of three dads and four other Boy Scouts, took it upon himself to restore the damaged shed, and lend a hand to an organization that had helped so many others in San Antonio.

On June 27, 2009, the team started by power-washing and sanding the shed - in the summer heat. Arias' project utilized bars for the windows and doors, which were made and donated by the de la Garza Fence Company, along with sponsorship from Don Strange of Texas, Inc. and Samuel’s Glass Company. Arias and his team concluded the project by providing fresh trim on the building, and painting it bright blue and red. The completed shed resembles Frida Kahlo’s Mexico house. The team’s six-day restoration efforts, with food donated to the volunteers by Central Market and Earl Abel’s Restaurant, were completed on July 2nd.

“Although this project has allowed me to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, I feel most rewarded by the fact that I helped an organization which does so much for a local community,” said Arias upon seeing his completed project. His efforts have already had a positive effect on the organization, the community garden and the entire community. Eagle Scout Jordan Arias and his fellow Boy Scouts have truly shown that we can all make a difference.