Scholarship program will honor Iowa tornado victim
By Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2008
DES MOINES -- Iowans will remember a Boy Scout from Eagle Grove killed during a tornado that tore through a Scout camp in western Iowa on his birthday and through a scholarship program for Iowa students.
Aaron Eilerts, 14, was one of four scouts killed when the tornado hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch near the town of Little Sioux on June 11.
The parents of Aaron Eilerts were at the State Capitol Wednesday to receive a plaque in honor of their son from Gov. Chet Culver that will be displayed at the school he attended.
Culver described Eilerts as a "gifted, talented and generous young man."
"Unfortunately, I never got to meet Aaron personally," Culver said. "However, I have become aware of his amazing life story, and I've read about his many philanthropic efforts."
Eilerts was a student at Robert Blue Middle School in Eagle Grove. The school was named after the former Iowa governor. Scholarships in Blue's name were handed out by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation Wednesday, and now those scholarship applications will recognize Eilerts as well.
Culver described Eilerts as a student who helped others and could serve as a role model for the young people receiving scholarships Wednesday.
"Aaron touched people in many different ways. He kindly committed his short life to giving back to others," Culver said.
Eilerts made pillowcases for hospital patients, blankets for dogs at animal shelters and scarves and ties for his teachers, Culver recounted.
"His generous, loving spirit always shined through," Culver said. "Aaron's spirit of service remains something all of Iowans can learn from."
In his honor, Feb. 24, 2009, the day of his 15th birthday will be known as "Aaron Eilerts Day of Service and Giving" in Iowa.
Aaron's father, Bob Eilerts, urged the scholarship recipients to follow their hearts as his son did.
"Don't be afraid to do what's in your heart," he told them.
Eilerts said they couldn't be prouder of their son, and still hear stories from people about what he had done for them.
"He's a giving kid, and he gave himself, and I'm sure that's what he did when he was at the Scout ranch, too, when it happened," Bob Eilerts said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
Aaron Eilerts, 14, was one of four scouts killed when the tornado hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch near the town of Little Sioux on June 11.
The parents of Aaron Eilerts were at the State Capitol Wednesday to receive a plaque in honor of their son from Gov. Chet Culver that will be displayed at the school he attended.
Culver described Eilerts as a "gifted, talented and generous young man."
"Unfortunately, I never got to meet Aaron personally," Culver said. "However, I have become aware of his amazing life story, and I've read about his many philanthropic efforts."
Eilerts was a student at Robert Blue Middle School in Eagle Grove. The school was named after the former Iowa governor. Scholarships in Blue's name were handed out by the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation Wednesday, and now those scholarship applications will recognize Eilerts as well.
Culver described Eilerts as a student who helped others and could serve as a role model for the young people receiving scholarships Wednesday.
"Aaron touched people in many different ways. He kindly committed his short life to giving back to others," Culver said.
Eilerts made pillowcases for hospital patients, blankets for dogs at animal shelters and scarves and ties for his teachers, Culver recounted.
"His generous, loving spirit always shined through," Culver said. "Aaron's spirit of service remains something all of Iowans can learn from."
In his honor, Feb. 24, 2009, the day of his 15th birthday will be known as "Aaron Eilerts Day of Service and Giving" in Iowa.
Aaron's father, Bob Eilerts, urged the scholarship recipients to follow their hearts as his son did.
"Don't be afraid to do what's in your heart," he told them.
Eilerts said they couldn't be prouder of their son, and still hear stories from people about what he had done for them.
"He's a giving kid, and he gave himself, and I'm sure that's what he did when he was at the Scout ranch, too, when it happened," Bob Eilerts said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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