Volunteers assisted many local organizations, residents and businesses by laying mulch, cleaning the village fire department’s fire trucks, sorting bricks for the new Veterans’ Tribute at the town park and many other locations.

Even North Collins Superintendent Scott Taylor got his hands dirty by joining a group of children at the town park for the Veterans’ Tribute.

“Now this is my fourth Eagle Energy Day, I’ve tried to come out and visit the students and get involved and give back,” Taylor said.

The superintendent focused on the positive impacts outside-the-classroom learning experiences have on the students and to bolster the concept of a community.

Photo by Andrew Kuczkowski Students place mulch at the North Collins Volunteer Fire Department. From left are Henry Jarzynski, Ryan Gaglione and Michaela Rice.

“It benefits the students on Eagle Energy Day due to them realizing what service means: giving back to their community,” Taylor said. “Being able to do any kind of work by giving their time or service to improving their own community is what it is all about. I think it’s an extension of the classroom.

“It is a part of what we try to do in our school district (which is) to have students learn, not only biology and math and reading and writing but also, what it means to serve.”

Photo by Andrew Kuczkowski Draya Kaufman, far left, and Kathleen Smith, left, smile as they place bricks at the North Collins Veterans’ Tribute at the town park on Friday for Eagle Energy Day, where students engage in community service throughout the town. Standing next to the girls are Ethan Awald, middle, with Maxwell Warsaw and Mason Kohn organizing them.