When Valley Stream resident Michael Gay began thinking about his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t have to look far to find inspiration; it was growing right in his backyard.
The newly opened Valley Stream Community Garden had just started welcoming members on May 4, and for Gay, the timing was perfect.
Gay, 17, a recent graduate of Central High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 116, saw the opportunity to make a difference in a place close to his heart.
“He chose this simply because our family is a member of the garden, and the garden actually just publicly opened to the public on May 4,” said his stepmother, Audra Hamlett-Gay. “So, it was something that he was already aware of, that he knew and that he wanted to be a part of.”
Gay had already been thinking about how he could make a meaningful impact in his community, and the garden offered a unique opportunity.
“It seemed like just the right direction to go to, because it was new, knowing that it was just getting off the ground,” Hamlett-Gay said. “They needed a lot of help.”
Beyond its novelty, the project aligned with Gay’s values—especially his appreciation for the environment and interest in sustainability, an important part of his life, according to Gay.
“For the garden in particular, he was very excited to be able to help make things grow, to see things grow,” Hamlett-Gay said. “Being able to plant food for not just ourselves, but also for the local food pantry was something that did interest him.”
On July 26, Gay’s vision came to life. He organized a major volunteer day, coordinating members of his troop, garden members and community volunteers to help maintain and improve the garden.
Behind the scenes, his family showed support by challenging him with questions to prepare him for every detail.
“We’re going to throw all of this stuff at you at one time to see where and how you answer these types of questions,” Hamlett-Gay said. “Because when you do have people come in there to help out, you have to be able to be responsible, and you have to be a leader.”
Before any soil was turned, however, one of Gay’s biggest hurdles was raising the funds. He launched a GoFundMe campaign, unsure of how it would be received.
“His goal was set at $1,300, and he said, hopefully, you know, there’ll be people who are interested in donating,” Hamlett-Gay said. “When he surpassed $1300, it gave him confidence. He started feeling like, wow, I could actually do this.”
His efforts paid off, and more than $3,000 was raised. Over 40 people showed up to volunteer, exceeding his expectations.
This accomplishment did not come without challenges. “Raising money wasn’t easy, and finding things for everyone to do was also not easy,” Gay said. Still, with the community’s support, the goal proved within reach.
“This group that we have at the garden is a very, very committed group and a very tight-knit group,” Hamlett-Gay said. “So, when it’s time to come out and support one another, you do have the strength and the numbers.”
As scouts and garden members worked together, his worries turned into pride. His stepmother remembered how emotional it was when he donated at the end of the day.
“We waited until the very end, and it was just a very emotional moment to have that,” Hamlett-Gay said. “Everyone was very, very, very excited about that amount, which they said is going to go a long way.”
Looking forward, Gay’s involvement with the garden isn’t over. For him and his family, this was never just a one-time project.
The family plans to stay involved with the garden, helping in any way they can and ensuring it continues to thrive. Over time, their visits have become a weekend tradition and one of the highlights of her stepson’s week. They turn it into an outing, starting with breakfast before heading to the garden to spend time together and lend a hand.
For Gay and those around him, the project planted more than vegetables; it cultivated leadership, community, and confidence.
“You don’t know exactly what your kids will do and how they will take on a project,” Hamlett-Gay said. “And to see that he took on a project and he made it his own, he’s finally getting it, that this is the type of person you need to be.”
