On Saturday, May 3, the West Sayville Junior Fire Department attended a spring cleanup at  St. John’s Historical Church in Oakdale.

“These fine young people raked, bagged and gathered 17 bags of leaves and moved a pile of stockade fencing, posts and metal posts to the curbside. Meanwhile, the adults supervising them mowed, blowed and weed-wacked, leaving St. John’s as bright and shiny as a new penny,” said Oakdale Historical Society president, Maryann Almes.

“We thank them so very much for their continued support. OHS and St. John’s Church presented them with a framed photo of the West Sayville Junior Fire Department getting their O.W.L. (Oakdale’s Wondrous Leadership) awards earlier this year. We couldn’t have picked better recipients!”

In April, the WSJFD was awarded the O.W.L. award, a dedication that gained popularity in January 2020 when OHS began recognizing one individual who epitomized the characteristics of leadership, knowledge and service to the Oakdale community and its history.

“These young people are a prominent force for OHS and the Oakdale community.  As adoptive caretakers of St. John’s, they always sport a ‘what can we do to help’ attitude.   Their dedication to Oakdale, the Historical Society and St. John’s Historic Church is evident through each and everything they do.  They embody the spirit of volunteerism and we are proud to honor them with this year’s O.W.L. Award.  They are a true inspiration!” said Almes.