Just call Eagle-bound Bensonhurst scout Edward Maddalena a grassroots gladiator for organizing an environmental awareness fair at New Utrecht Reformed Church to educate and empower his community while trying to attain his Court of Honor Badge.
The industrious 16-year-old, a junior at Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge, enlisted the help of his family, friends and peers at Troop 20 for the red flag day, held on the grounds of the historic house of worship, 84th Street and 18th Avenue, where representatives from municipal and state agencies, in addition to local organizations and even information technology giant Hewlett Packard, were on hand to apprise visitors about how to reduce their carbon footprint with minimal lifestyle changes.
Among those recruited by the National Honor Society student, who is pursuing scouting’s highest accolade, were the Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Energy & Research Development Authority, and New York Loves Mountains.
In addition, the Brooklyn Public Library mobile bus and the BioBus, a converted transit bus equipped with digital microscopes, a cell culture lab and a computer cluster, were on hand to entertain and inform mom, dad and the kids.
Edward’s 14-year-old brother, Nicholas lent a helping hand by transforming old scraps of paper into majestic Origami masterpieces, wowing visitors, who received free reusable shopping bags in addition to other giveaways secured by the laboring teen.
“I’m so unbelievably proud of him,” said Lisa Maddalena of her son, who aside from playing the trumpet in his school band can now blow his own horn – to rave reviews from his community.
