Scout Delivers 100 Cleaning Kits for Disaster Relief
Spencer Brinkerhoff delivers 100 UMCOR cleaning kits as part of his Eagle Scout project
On May 29, 2025, Spencer Brinkerhoff, a rising ninth-grade student from Scout Troop 451, delivered 100 UMCOR cleaning kits as part of his Eagle Scout project. The kits, designed to help families recover after disasters, were assembled with the support of his family and church community.
Brinkerhoff, a member of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church, said he wanted a project that would make a lasting impact without creating something that required ongoing maintenance. “A lot of Eagle Scout projects are permanent structures that someone has to repair later,” he explained. “I wanted to do something helpful for the community that didn’t leave that burden.”
His inspiration came from a previous church mission project. “A couple of years ago, our church put together 125 of these buckets,” Brinkerhoff said. “That’s how I learned about UMCOR and the cleaning buckets.”
The Brinkerhoff family played a big role in the effort. Spencer’s parents, Kristi and Curt, helped with logistics and paperwork, while their dining room served as storage for the kits until delivery day. With the help of a neighbor’s trailer, the family transported the buckets to their destination.
Just a month after Brinkerhoff delivered his cleaning kits, severe flooding struck Central Texas, devastating parts of Kerr and Williamson Counties, among others. Cleaning buckets like those Brinkerhoff delivered were among the supplies deployed to help families begin the long process of cleaning and recovery.
The Woods UMC drop-off site in Grand Prairie, where Brinkerhoff made his delivery, aims to have 400-500 kits on hand, ready to replenish UMCOR stock when disasters hit.
Rev. Jeremy Basset, Horizon Texas Conference disaster response coordinator, praised Brinkerhoff’s work. “Disaster response is about being ready before the storm hits,” said Basset. “These cleaning kits become a tangible sign of hope when it’s needed most. Spencer’s project is a powerful example of how our young people can lead in ministry and make a real impact.”
The need isn’t over. The Horizon Texas Conference is actively assisting in the flood recovery and rebuilding efforts, and you can help. Visit www.htcumc.org/texas-flooding to learn how to donate, assemble cleaning kits or volunteer in recovery efforts.