Girl Scouts seek permission for eyeglasses drop box at courthouse

Faith Hoover, who identified herself as representing the Heartland Girl Scouts, asked the board to approve a Lions Club drop box at the courthouse to collect used eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones, keys and similar small items for refurbishment and redistribution.

"My name is Faith Hoover, and I am with the Heartland Girl Scouts," she said, describing the Gold Award project that includes student design help from the local tech school. Hoover said the drop box will be roughly 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, will be bolted into concrete and that Hoover Lumber had expressed interest in donating materials. She said Tim Davis (head of the welding department), Mike Zimmerman (head of engineering) and student Ethan Graham had helped with blueprints.

Hoover told commissioners the box would likely sit near the health department for visibility and convenience; she said other tabletop drop boxes could be placed in local businesses for additional collection points. Commissioners and staff expressed support and said they would coordinate placement logistics and publicity with Hoover and county personnel.

No formal motion to fund the project was recorded during the discussion; commissioners indicated the county would assist with locating a suitable site and with publicity when the project is ready for installation.

Hoover said she expects the project work to start this summer and that the box should be completed and placed by the end of the summer.