OurStory

Scout is an answer to church's prayers
By Nick Newman
Mormon Times
Nov. 26, 2009

A Mormon teenager was looking for an Eagle Scout project, and leaders at an African Methodist Episcopal church in downtown Cincinnati were praying for help with a Christmas toy program.

They ended up helping each other.

When Eagle Scout candidate Mason Blackham was vacationing in Pleasant Grove, Utah in 2005, his grandparents mentioned a Scout in their ward who had built toys and sent them to soldiers in Iraq to give to children there.

"I thought the idea (of giving away toys) was the best idea I had," said Blackham, 17, now a junior at Glen Este High in Cincinnati.

Blackham was referred to Alton Thacker, who runs Tiny Tim Toy factory in West Jordan. Thacker had helped out Scouts before, and Blackham took home 100 toys to Ohio.

He then started looking for a place for the troop to give the toys out in person.

Mason Blackham helping out at Christ Our Redeemer Church in Cincinnati.

Enter Juanita Price, a member of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church, and her service organization, Miyah's Toybox.

Price had lost her 3-year-old daughter, Miyah, in 2004 from complications from an undetected congenital heart defect. Even at 3, Miyah was a giving and caring child who loved to share. In memory of Miyah's giving spirit, Price set up an organization in conjunction with Christ Our Redeemer Church to raise money to provide toys to economically disadvantaged youths in inner-city Cincinnati.

Mason's father, Mark, had recently begun a new job, and Price was one of his new co-workers. He asked Price if Mason and his troop could help with Miyah's Toybox and give away the 100 car kits, to which Price consented.

The Christ Our Redeemer Church leaders had been praying for additional interest from the outside community, and the Mormon Scouts were the blessing, according to Mark Blackham.

The Rev. Eugene Godhigh, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer, was so impressed with the service of the Scouts that he and Price invited the young men back the next year. That was four years ago, and the interfaith partnership has continued to this day.

Godhigh also spoke at Mason's Eagle Court of Honor, and the next year, Girl Scouts from the A.M.E. church pitched in their efforts as well.

"I thought it was awesome that he came," said Mason, one of about five Mormons at his high school. "But he was amazing. I didn't think someone from another faith would come."

Mason says he keeps going back because of the children's smiles he sees as he helps pass out toys.

"When you see a kid getting a toy and see them really happy, it makes me happy," Mason said. "I love making people happy. ... It's the gift that keeps on giving, and I don't see me stopping until I leave home."