Jacksonville Eagle Scout candidate collects more than 2,000 Christmas gifts for children in need

JACKSONVILLE (WWAY) — We have a cheerful update on a Jacksonville Eagle Scout candidate’s project that we first told you about in October.

With the help of the community, Benjamin Mills was able to fulfill his Christmas wish of giving back to others in Onslow County.

Mills is a lifelong Boy Scout, currently with Troop 597 out of Jacksonville.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Mills collected new and gently used books, as well as new bike helmets, in partnership with the Onslow non-profit One Place.

The items were then donated to Onslow Community Outreach’s annual ‘Christmas Cheer’ drive.

Along with giving gifts like these to children for Christmas, the program provides eligible families with food for the entire household.

Mills was able to donate two-thousand books and seventy-five bike helmets.

And, it’s safe to say, he was able to spread his own Christmas cheer to many families in need.