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T he Pay It Forward Foundation joins America in mourning Aaron Eilerts, 14, Son of Bob and Carol Eilerts, who was one of 4 Boy Scouts killed by a tornado at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch in Iowa on June 11, 2008. We offer our most humble prayers to friends, family and those who knew him. In true “Pay it Forward” style, none of the family realized the far-reaching impact that Aaron had on everyone he met and how his good deeds had multiplied and are continuing to multiply even after his death. It is a strange coincidence that a journalist for KCCI-TV, in Des Moines, had learned of Aaron’s good deeds for others and had been trying to interview him before his death. The governor of Iowa was so touched by Aaron’s life story, that he has proclaimed every February 24th (Aaron’s birthday) as “Aaron Eilerts Day of Service and Giving.” President Bush has asked Aaron’s parents to meet with him in the latter part of July at the Rose Garden. I would encourage all those who believe in the Pay It Forward concept to use Aaron’s story as an inspiration to others. Aaron will always be in our hearts and minds as we think of him and his many wonderful accomplishments and talents.
Aaron was nominated for an Iowa Character Counts Award in 2007, and was named the State-wide runner up. He was nominated because of his many community service projects. He was known mostly for his sewing skills and used those skills to do good deeds for others. He was the founder of a project called “pillowcases for patients.” He sewed pillowcases for children at the Wright County Medical Center in Clarion, Iowa. Everyone enjoyed his pillow cases -- he often made them for teachers at school. His next sewing community project was creating blankets for animals at the Humane Society so that the animals could keep warm. Other community service projects, included helping at the Senior Center and the Rotary Ann Nursing Home by making center pieces, providing music, or assisting with BINGO. Aaron could be counted on to do community service at every turn and with little prompting.
Aaron was also very artistic in nature. He designed the cover of the Robert Blue Middle School  Yearbook in 2006. He entered many creations in the local Fair in the open entry division, also sending some of his creations on to the State Fair. He was asked to be a guest artist in a live downtown window at Christmas time, two years ago. Aaron gave of his time and talents in many ways. He performed the National Anthem at many local high school events.
Aaron was serious about scouting. Many projects began as ways to earn badges and he just continued to work at them because of the good they did for others. He already had a plan in mind for his Eagle Scout award and was just waiting to be old enough to put it in action.
Aaron’s Uncle, Earl Boston, relays this message: “In order for me to convey the Pay It Forward message that Aaron created, it will be necessary to show how he touched so many other peoples hearts and how they, in turn, have changed and will change other lives for the better. There are so many tributes to follow, but you would think I was making this all up if you couldn’t read it for yourself. We need to carry on Aaron’s mission. I plan on writing to the President and my Congressmen to encourage a ‘National Day of Service and Giving.’ What better way to enrich the souls of our citizenry?” To read Aaron’s many tributes, please go to http://aaroneilerts.blogspot.com.
Doing a good turn
 Bentz puts together program to honor fellow scout
By DAWN THOMPSON, Messenger staff writer
POSTED: July 28, 2008
HUMBOLDT - We're not always happy with the hand fate deals us.
Boy Scout Matthew Bentz, 15, of Humboldt, decided to deal his own hand, turning a tragedy into a living legacy with the "Dealing Out Good Turns" project.
Organized in honor of his fellow troop member Aaron Eilerts, a Scout who died in the tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa on June 11, the project uses playing cards to encourage people to do good deeds.
"I just had all these cards and this idea just kind of popped," Bentz said. "It's just kind of a tribute to Aaron to keep good deeds going in the area."
Eilerts, 14, was known for his love of doing for others, Bentz said. Eilerts founded a project where he sewed individual pillowcases for children at Wright Medical Center, as well as other hospitals and clinics in central Iowa. He also helped at the senior center and assisted with bingo at the Rotary Ann Retirement Community in Eagle Grove.
Bentz distributed a deck of playing cards beginning June 15. How it works, he said, is the cardholder does one good deed, signs the card and passes it on. The card is passed to as many people as the number on the card, so if someone received a five of spades, the card would be passed to five people before being returned to Bentz. Once he has received all the cards, he is going to give them to Eilerts' parents.
"I get about one every day," Bentz said. "A lot of people write on the card what they did."
A number of the good deeds reported involved helping the elderly, he said, along with simple every day things such as mowing the lawn and helping parents with chores.
Cari Feldmann, Twin Lakes District Executive for Scouts in America, Mid-America Council, received the eight of clubs and performed her good deed for her boss before passing the card along. She said it was a privilege to take part in a project that not only exemplified the Scouting slogan of "do a good turn daily" but also demonstrated a loyalty to Eilerts.
" I hope all the cards get used and returned," Feldmann said, "and when they all get back to Aaron's parents, I hope it reassures for them the quality son they had. They may have only had him for 13 years, but they raised an incredible human being. This project confirms his legacy will live on."
People can still become involved, she said, even if they don't receive a playing card. They can just do a good deed while thinking of Eilerts. And it doesn't have to be a grand gesture to make a difference.
"Sometimes we think too hard about the act," Feldmann said. "Sometimes it can as simple as smiling at someone who doesn't look like they're having a good day."
Bentz was also caught in the tornado that took Eilerts' life, but Bentz emerged without injuries. Ethan Sande, another fellow troop member, was hospitalized a few days for injuries he sustained. The three boys were assisting with the Pahuk Pride Junior Leadership Training camp.
His experience at the camp and the Good Turn project have taught Bentz a bit of worldly wisdom he said he hopes others discover, too.
"We've got to be more loving to each other and the country," Bentz said. "We've got to help people out."
Contact Dawn Thompson at (515) 573-2141 or dthompson@messengernews.net
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