Collecting 900 shoes for a charity added up to an Eagle Scout award for an Oswego teen.
Seth X. Arndt, 18, received Scouting America Three Fires Council’s highest award in a court of honor Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora. A Scout for 12 years, Arndt is a member of Blackhawk Troop 11 which meets at the church.
A 2025 graduate of Oswego High School, Arndt is a freshman at Illinois State University, majoring in technology and engineering education.
Arndt earned 21 merit badges en route to undertaking his “Give Shoes, Give Love” Eagle project—collecting 500 new and used shoes for Soles4Souls, an international non-profit organization that donates shoes and clothing around the world since it was formed in 2006.
Arndt mobilized fellow Scouts, friends and family members for his “Give Shoes, Give Love” drive in February. When it ended, he counted 900 shoes, nearly doubling the amount of his original goal.
Donated shoes were collected at the church and also at private locations. Arndt took his collected shoes to DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse in Geneva, for shipment overseas.
He said the shoes will be used to help women in developing nations start and sustain small businesses and can assist relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters.
Arndt said, “I was trying to think of a project, and I found out about the Soles4Souls program. I’ve always wanted to do a charity thing, so I thought it was a good idea.
“The shoes that are sent out can be sold to help build the economy in those places, and also make jobs for the communities. The communities I’ll impact … it’s just a very good feeling.
“Shoes are a thing people tend to eventually throw away, and they end up in landfills,” Arndt said. “So, by collecting these shoes, I’m re-purposing something, and they’re not going in the dump.”
After collecting the shoes, the next steps in Arndt’s path to becoming an Eagle Scout included completing a board of review, attending a Scoutmaster conference and waiting for official confirmation from Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Since its inception, in 1911, only four percent of all Boy Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Arndt’s Eagle Court of Honor was a personalized ceremony honoring the Scout’s achievements. Included were an inspirational opening, introduction of guests, recognition of family, a reading of the Scout’s accomplishments, presentation of the medal and a response from the new Eagle Scout, including the presentation of appreciation pins to his parents, Andrea and Bob Arndt and mentors.
The ceremony featured presentation of a K-Bar U.S. Marine knife by Aurora Marine Corps League Detachment 1233. Presenters were Marines Tom Bulin, Rich Black and Jeff Waldroc.
Arndt created a tabletop display of Scouting memorabilia for the event. A reception concluded the celebration.
Troop 11 is chartered by Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 and has been active in the community for over 100 years. Since it’s founding in 1916, Troop 11, the second oldest in Illinois, has guided more than 200 young men on their journey to earn the rank of Eagle.
—Al Benson