Besides a leash, strings were attached to the puppy Patrick Eger, 17, received from his parents when he was 5. Patrick, insisted his parents Mike and Terrie Eger, had to take the dog to a nursing home once a week to entertain residents.

"It was important to learn to give back to the community what your community has given you," said Mrs. Eger, who is activity director at the Southwestern Nursing Center and Assisted Living, in Pleasant Hills.

Patrick's volunteerism over the next decade included helping his brother, Christopher, build a gazebo at Asbury Place in Mt. Lebanon as part of the latter's Eagle Scout project.

He also accompanied his mother and other staff members on fishing, dining, and picnicking outings with residents of Southwestern.

On April 27, Patrick organized an outing to a Pirates baseball game for eight elderly residents of that facility for his senior project.

Although he is a junior, the graduation requirement at Thomas Jefferson High School of a project related to career goals may be fulfilled a year early. Patrick chose the outing because arranging such events is an aspect of sports management, his career choice.

He began by contacting the Pirates for 16 free tickets for the residents, himself, his mother, volunteers, and staff members. The request was granted for the handicapped section, since most of the residents were in wheelchairs. The Pirates also gave free baseball caps and T-shirts.

Southwestern donated the transportation.

"To be that young and get all that organized, I think that's a lot of work," said Barbara Mallonee, administrator at Southwestern.

Patrick also lobbied for, and got for the group, free lunches at Atria's Restaurant in PNC Park.

Although the outing was about baseball, football was the main topic at lunch among residents, said Mrs. Eger, especially the high school's state championship team, on which Patrick plays offensive tackle.

Patrick and his mother estimated the outing's total cost at $1,000, all of which was donated.

The most challenging aspect of the event was making the arrangements, Patrick pointed out. "But with how generous everyone was, it wasn't difficult at all."

The Eger family lives in Jefferson Hills; Mr. Eger is self-employed.

Patrick next has to prepare a presentation on the outing for a pass or fail grade.

Besides how to arrange and set up a sports-related event, the experience has taught him the value of volunteerism.

"The expressions on their faces and how much fun they had -- it was just priceless," he said.

If you would like South to consider publicizing a senior project, please e-mail -- only -- the student's name, phone, biography and a brief synopsis of the project to vkjoe@post-gazette.com.