Naval Academy Midshipmen Conduct Clean-up, Outreach

The Midshipman Action Group (MAG) at the Naval Academy spearheaded a local community service project Dec. 5 in the Broadneck Peninsula just outside of Annapolis.

Twenty-eight midshipmen worked side-by-side with Anne Arundel County personnel, students, parents and a local landscaping business to clear a wooded area overgrown by fallen trees and vegetation adjacent to Broadneck Elementary School.

"It was truly a civil-military operation out here," said Cmdr. John Schofield, USNA Public Affairs Officer and project officer.  "The scope of this clean-up effort was incredible. Between the mids, parents and county crews, we all worked hard to make this area nice for the kids who attend Broadneck Elementary School."

The wooded area next to the school, located approximately six miles from the Naval Academy, had become overrun with leaves and trees which were impeding a walking path for the local children to transit to the school. Local landscaping firm Ferrell Lawn Care volunteered their workers and equipment to assist the effort. Owners Chase and Ryan Ferrell grew up in the area and also attended Broadneck Elementary School.

"This was awesome," said Chase Ferrell.  "All of the midshipmen out here doing this for the school – I was happy to volunteer my company."

"We couldn't have done this without the Ferrells and the county," said Schofield.  "We called a lot of companies asking if they would help us with this community relations project. Ferrell and Anne Arundel County answered the call. What they did was amazing."

The project lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and included more than thirty county dump truck loads of wood, branches and overgrowth cleared from the affected area. The Ferrell brothers donated the use of five professional landscapers, chainsaws and leaf blowers for the midshipmen.  

The Broadneck Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) was intimately involved in the project and provided rakes, shovels, saws, gloves and other equipment from a local tool-share program.

The mids showed up with nothing more than their Navy Working Uniform and a willingness to work hard.

"I got to help a lot of kids today," said Midshipman 3rd Class Eric Terminello, a sophomore from White Plains, N.Y., and a member of the varsity golf team. "A lot of Saturdays I am playing golf or studying. Today I was able to do something really special for others."

Broadneck Principal John Noon and Assistant Principal Thomas Cordts also participated in the clean-up effort, as well as approximately two dozen parents and students.

"What a great turn out today,” said Cordts. "Could not have been successful without everyone's efforts."

For more information about USNA and MAG, please visit www.usna.edu/MAG.