Perrysburg Teen Creates Gift Pantry for College Families

Caleb Blaine's Eagle Scout project aims to provide toys and gifts for struggling students' children.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Caleb Blaine, a 14-year-old Perrysburg High School freshman, decided to create a "present pantry" as part of his Eagle Scout project. Blaine was inspired after learning about the food pantry at Mercy College of Ohio, realizing that struggling college students may also have children who need gifts for birthdays and holidays. Blaine worked with the college to set up the pantry, collecting 125 donated toys and gifts from his Scout troop.

Why it matters

Blaine's project highlights the challenges facing college students, who may be struggling financially and unable to provide gifts for their children. By creating a present pantry, Blaine is helping to bring joy and support to these families in need within the local community.

The details

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Caleb Blaine partnered with Mercy College of Ohio to set up a "present pantry" where struggling college students and their families can access toys and gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other occasions. Blaine organized a donation drive with his Scout troop, collecting 125 items for the pantry. He worked closely with the college's director of missions, Chalsi Campbell, to get the project approved and implemented after the college's food pantry was relocated.

  • Caleb Blaine, a 14-year-old freshman, started planning the project in early 2026.
  • The present pantry was installed at Mercy College in March 2026 after the food pantry relocation was complete.

The players

Caleb Blaine

A 14-year-old freshman at Perrysburg High School and Eagle Scout candidate who created the present pantry project.

Chalsi Campbell

The director of missions at Mercy College of Ohio who worked with Caleb Blaine to approve and implement the present pantry project.

Shawn Tysiak

The committee chairman for Troop 103 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Maumee, who oversees Eagle Scout projects for the troop.

Meredith Blaine

Caleb Blaine's mother, who described him as a "happy-go-lucky kid who is helpful, and he wants other people to be happy."

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What they’re saying

“Every child deserves to be happy, and this is a good way to provide happiness for the kids.”

— Caleb Blaine

“What an incredible young man to think about other people's needs first and really think about the fact that ... if [students] are experiencing that kind of hardship, then that means that they are not able to spoil their children with presents when they probably really want to.”

— Chalsi Campbell, Director of Missions, Mercy College of Ohio

“Caleb's project embodies who he is as a person. He is a happy-go-lucky kid who is helpful, and he wants other people to be happy.”

— Meredith Blaine, Caleb Blaine's Mother

What’s next

The present pantry will be open for college students and their families to access gifts and toys on an ongoing basis.

The takeaway

Caleb Blaine's Eagle Scout project demonstrates the power of young people to identify community needs and take action to make a positive difference. His present pantry will provide joy and support to struggling college families, showing that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.