COLD SPRING – A year ago, a young boy scout from Court House came into Osborne’s Furniture Store seeking a food donation for his troop’s project. His troop was trying to reconstruct Shellbay Fishing Pier. The store staff felt his sensitivity and dedication to this rebuilding. He was not seeking money or recognition. Even though the store was used to frequently contributing to different organizations, this young man’s sincerity struck a chord.
Fast forward to the present. An Osborne’s staff member was walking around the marsh and canal in her Cape May community. She saw the area littered with debris and remembered this young scout who had a passion to help his community. She reached out to Cape May County Public Works and found many people willing to help. Their employee, Nancy Mauro, found a mini-grant for Keep Cape May County Clean organization. John Spriggs, committee chairman of Boy Scout Troop 84 said his boys needed to earn badges and checked it out with Scoutmaster Rich Davis who OK’d it. Lower Township workers Katie and Linda provided gloves, bags, safety vests and cones. ShopRite’s gift card came in handy for water, Gatorade and hand sanitizer. Tony’s Pizza joined giving hospitality. Neighbors and friends from Cape May Crossing will also partake in this awesome community event.
So one young man’s passion inspired an amazing community event to clean up marshes and canals between 9th and 10th avenues and Onondago and Wissahickon avenues, on Sunday, April 24, between 1-5 p.m. A year-old inspiration became ours as we strive to make our community cleaner and bring back natural wildlife. How refreshing to feel the devotion and energy of the boy scouts and their traditional value of community support…still!
If anyone is interested in community clean up, email Mauro at nmauro@co.cape-may.nj.us or call 609-465-1035.
