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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Every boy must someday become a man, just as every Boy Scout must someday become an Eagle Scout. Both transformations involve long journeys and both journeys involve tests. Michael Milner's test to become an Eagle Scout included organizing a large community service project and following through until it was completed. "I had to do a project to earn Eagle Scout ranking," Milner said, "but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. At first I thought about gathering books for a library. My mom and I threw around some ideas and came up with the world's longest clothesline." Milner started planning the event last December. He wanted to gather clothing, blankets, sheets and towels items normally put on a clothesline to dry for homeless people in the area. He estimates that about 40 different families stopped by Heritage Park on Oct. 6 to donate to his cause. Rocky's ACE Hardware donated 1,300 feet of clothesline for Milner to hang clothes on in the park, but it wasn't long enough. "We got a lot more clothing than sheets which is what I was aiming for but all of it was appreciated," Milner said. "We also got some bathing suits and Halloween costumes." From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Milner's clothesline expanded from 1,300 feet long to a grand total of 2,113 feet long. Those interested in helping out donated not only clothes and blankets but rope as well. By the end of the day, Milner's clothesline had gathered enough to completely stuff a 16-foot block truck, according to Kevin Noonan, Executive Director of Open Pantry Community Services, the group that provided the truck. "All the credit for the project goes to Michael, his fellow troops and his parents," Noonan said. "It was really a beautiful sight and it shows his concern for the community and giving back." Noonan said one of the homeless women he works with in Springfield traveled to Heritage Park to show Milner her gratitude. "He really looks at the big picture," Cindy Milner, Michael's mother, said. "He's always cared about the homeless." "I like to do community service, but I've never done something this big before," Milner said. In addition to the Eagle Scouts, he's volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Molly Bish Foundation, the Shrine Circus and the Holyoke Home for Veterans. He first registered as a Boy Scout when he was six years old. In addition to being an Eagle Scout, Milner has also organized a Venture Crew with some fellow Scouts (both Boy and Girl). The group focuses on high adventure and outdoor activities and is completely run by the group, with an adult serving only as an advisor. Milner is currently a senior at East Longmeadow High School. | ||||||
