By Ginny Privitar
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ Shane Fondaco received the highest honor in Scouting -- Eagle Scout rank -- at an October Court of Honor which took place at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Hewitt.
Shane's Eagle Scout project was to create a wheelchair accessible garden for the Memory Care Unit and disabled at the Chelsea at Bald Eagle, where residents could reach and garden from a seated position. People from the assisted living unit also use it and all "absolutely love it." They've even started a garden club.
Shane's mom Karen was previously the director of the Memory Care Unit. During her twenty-five years as a nurse, she said, "Shane has literally come with me since I could bring him in the carrier. He's very empathetic and has a soft spot for people with disabilities."
Shane was going to order a large planter online, but it was out of stock, so he ordered another, which turned out to be a better choice. Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Palomba helped Shane assemble the C-shaped planter kit for flowers and vegetables. It's approximately 9 feet by 9 feet and about 12 people can work on it at the same time, Shane said.
The Chelsea Garden Club ordered flowers and vegetables. Shane supplied planting soils and mulch. He'd like to thank Eden Farms for a discount on the soil, and Glenwild Garden Center for 21 bags of free mulch.
Getting everything together was a family affair and stepdad, Eric Schoemer, and Shane's brothers Gavin and Ryder, also both Scouts in Troop 159, helped along with troop members. Shane and his crew transported and dropped off the material at the site which was under construction.
"I thank my entire troop for all the years helping me from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout," Shane said. "I'd like to thank my family for all the support they gave me during those years and Assistant Scoutmasters Mr. Mike Benedetto and Mr. Ron Palomba. Finally, I'd like to thank Eden Farm and Glenwild Garden Center for their help and the Chelsea for letting me do my project there."
Shane is a junior in the Medical Arts Academy at Passaic County Technical Institute and hopes to become a flight medic. Right now he's taking classes for his certified nurse's aide license and already has completed the work for dental assistant license in New York. Next year he will be taking EMT classes.
He is in the New Jersey ROTC with plans to enter the Navy. He's a rifleman and assistant director of the weapons department in his group. Drilling is not without its own danger; he remembers drilling with a rifle, throwing it up in the air and breaking his finger when he caught it. Undeterred, he is moving full speed ahead to pursue his career.