Each day, driving in and out of his neighborhood, Mark Williams Jr., a senior at La Salle Academy and a member of Cranston’s Boy Scout Troop 6, noticed a house that didn’t seem to match the rest in the neighborhood.

The property was more overgrown and run down than the rest of the nearby homes, despite the fact that it was on a large, double lot.

“I saw it every day and I felt bad. Their house didn’t match the rest. It seemed like it didn’t fit in,” Williams said.

He decided to do something about it. Having been a Boy Scout since the age of five, Williams was now at the point where he needed to plan his Eagle Scout project. He opted to dedicate his time, energy, and resources to renovating the outdoor space at what he now knew was a ReFocus Inc. house – a residential living community for six adults with differing abilities that has been open since 1985.

As Williams assessed the needs of the space, he knew he had a big project on his hands. Among the needed work was an overhaul of the landscaping in the front yard, fixing of a basketball hoop, and replacement of a swing, clothesline, and birdfeeder.

With the help of his fellow Troop 6 scouts, and the donation of time and materials from the local community, Williams knew he could get the job done.

“He wanted the residents to be able to take pride in their house,” said Kathleen Williams, Mark’s mother.

His father, Mark Williams Sr., also an Eagle Scout, paid testament to his son’s dedication to the project and to Scouting in general.

“It’s a very long time to remain so dedicated to something,” he said, referencing the many years his son has been involved in Scouting. “Not many realize the time and prior planning that leads up to the Eagle projects. There is a lot that goes into it ahead of time.”

On Saturday, Sept. 17, the project got underway. Starting at 8 a.m. and continuing on through the end of the day, the group raked, spread mulch, removed broken parts, and put in new equipment, utilizing donated supplies from community businesses and private donations.

“This project was just bigger than us,” said Ellen Miller, program coordinator for the house. “We are very, very grateful to Mark and all he has done. We had no idea it would be like this, and it’s really a gift to us.”

Williams was thankful to all who came out and donated, noting that the project could not have been done without those who shared their time and resources, including his family’s landscaper, Willow Tree Landscaping, which donated the bushes, tools, mulch, and dump truck for the project.

“Even the pizza, the swing, and other materials were donated, people were very generous,” said Kathleen Williams. “Now the residents will really be able to use their space and enjoy being outside.”

Speaking on behalf of the residents and Executive Director Christine Kavanagh, Miller was thankful to Williams on Saturday as the project neared completion.

“Mark is wonderful,” she said. “He’s loving and caring and he has a big heart.”