The recent snowfall may have covered up the results of hard volunteer work put in by a group of intrepid 8th grade Our Lady of Fatima Religious Education students. On the very chilly morning of Saturday, Jan. 23, they cleaned up the historical Morgan Cemetery on Ridgefield Rd.
Finding opportunities to volunteer, and acquire volunteer hours as part of their religious education, has been difficult for teens during the pandemic, especially since the winter months have begun. Their required community service hours must be completed by the end of March, with no extension.
Meghan Donovan, who teaches at OLF and also serves on the board of the Wilton Land Conservation Trust, recognized their dilemma and helped find a way to offer these students a day of volunteering outside, while socially distanced and wearing masks.
Donovan thanked Land Trust board member Michael Foster for organizing the volunteer day for the students.
The Wilton Land Conservation Trust has approximately 119 parcels throughout Wilton, totaling 835 acres. The most popular are the eight trails that several Wilton residents became aware of last March when the pandemic first hit. These private trails can be found on the Land Trust website.
While the WLCT offers spring stewardship programs, Land Trust officials hope for a few more “winter” volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in helping.