MANCHESTER – A recent Manchester graduate was honored at a Board of Education meeting for the completion of his community service project.
Meletios Lendis, now a freshman at Ocean County College, was recognized by the Board for earning the rank of Eagle Scout with his project to build a brick enclosure around the dumpster at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, located on Church Road in Toms River.
“All in all it took about a year and a half,” and about $2,500 in funds, said Lendis.
A lot of work went into the project, beginning with cleaning up the existing area. Some of this work including cleaning, weeding, and power washing. Lendis noted that he received a lot of help from Carl’s Fencing, a local Toms River business.
Lendis took it upon himself to speak with and recruit local businesses and volunteers to help out with the project.
It all began when Lendis heard from church-goers that the area was in desperate need of repair.
“It was a really unsightly area and the church had expressed to me,” that it needed mending, said Lendis. “It was a great project,” he added.
In the end, Lendis managed to install a stone brick enclosure with a gated fence around the dumpster at the church to beautify the area and serve the community better. And not a moment too soon; the new and improved receptacle area was completed just in time for the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Festival which was held Sept. 27 & 28 at the church.
With the completion of this project, Lendis earned the coveted title of Eagle Scout. According to the Boy Scouts of America, “Eagle Scout rank has represented a milestone of accomplishment – perhaps without equal – that is recognized across the country and even the world. Those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank count it among their most treasured achievements. Eagle Scout is not just an award; it is a state of being.”
[adrotate banner="278"]Lendis’ scoutmaster, of BSA Troop 50 of Whiting, noted that the entirety of an Eagle Scout project is up to the scout himself, from the inception of the idea to the execution of the plan.
“We expect great things from him in the future, I see a little bit of entrepreneurial spirit in him,” he said.
“Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment,” stated the board.
