On road to Eagle, athletic Scout helps those like him
A New Port Richey teen makes tote bags that fit wheelchairs for those in the National Junior Disability Championships.
By MICHELE MILLER
Published July 3, 2006
NEW PORT RICHEY - When he set out to become an Eagle Scout, learning how to sew on his mother's old mint-colored Singer machine probably wasn't what Joshua Natonio, 16, had in mind.
But making tote bags designed to fit on the wheelchairs of disabled athletes sounded like a good cause to the River Ridge High School student.
Last week, Natonio was reinforcing some of the stitching and checking for loose grommets and square knots. The red, blue and pink bags - about 310 - will be used by athletes competing in the National Junior Disability Championships to be held July 22-29 in Tampa.
"I'm almost there," Natonio said, as he stitched over the seams of a few Hawaiian bags in the bright kitchen of his family's home.
"It's been a lot of work and some stress with deadlines and all," he said, while working under the watchful eyes of his mom and Diablo, the family's Labrador retriever.
Natonio has gotten help from fellow Scouts and leaders from Troop 86 and community members who have faithfully showed up at his assembly line sewing sessions at First United Methodist Church of Hudson. Then there were the local businesses that donated money for materials, and also help from staff members of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Shriners, along with New Tampa Family YMCA, is sponsoring the National Junior Disability Championships, which will feature events including archery, weight lifting, track and field and swimming.
Scouts and sports have been a long-held tradition in the Natonio family. Natonio follows his older brothers - B.J., 25, and Turin, 31 - in those activities but hopes to surpass them.
"I would be the first one in the family to get Eagle Scout rank," said Natonio, who plays varsity football, does track and field and wrestles at River Ridge High. "That's my motivation - to beat my brothers."
Then again, there is the appeal of being part of an active troop.
"I love it so much," Natonio said, rattling off a laundry list of troop activities, including canoe and tubing ventures, community service projects, and trips to Washington, D.C., Key West and South Carolina.
"Boy Scouts kind of trains the body and the mind. It teaches you self-reliance," said Natonio, who cites his parents, Bruno and April, as also being particularly strong "guiding lights" in his life.
"I really got my work ethic from my dad. He's had health problems, but he works hard to provide for his family. He's really a rock for me."
As for his mom, she said, "I'm proud of all of my boys. I think Scouts is something more kids should be involved in. It rounds them out, keeps them honest."
And keeps them working.
After delivering the bags to Shriners, Natonio will be busy planning to raise funds, about $1,200, to pay for the material for the bags.
"We've been bouncing ideas around," he said. "Carwashes, baked goods auction - maybe a dodgeball tournament.
"I'll take all the help I can get. And any excess money raised will go to the National Junior Disability Championships. This is a great cause. Even with their problems, these kids are driven to compete. They're real athletes."
Michele Miller can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6251 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6251. Her e-mail is miller@sptimes.com.