When Al Smallman was 15 years old, he earned the highest achievement available in the Boy Scouts of America — the rank of Eagle Scout. That was in 1951.

Today, the Covenant Shores resident is 84 years old and helping a local teenager do the same thing through a project slated for the spring on the Shores campus. Alexander Raffetto, a 15-year-old with Troop 647 on Mercer Island, developed the idea to create a bird sanctuary at the retirement community.

The bird sanctuary is designed to support the local bird population and will consist of three bird houses and native plants to provide year-round shelter, food and nesting sites for the desired birds.

“It is an honor to have a part in orchestrating and supporting Alexander Raffetto,” said Roxanne Helleren, resident life director for Covenant Shores. “It’s an excellent intergenerational opportunity.”

Alexander Raffetto is a 15-year-old scoutg with Troop 647 on Mercer Island. Photo courtesy of Roxanne Helleren