SCRANTON, Pa. — The wood chips were flying at the West Scranton Little League on Friday as volunteers put on their gloves and got to work.
"We got some nice shade we're working in. Everyone is feeding us trees. We're happy," said Jack Stankiewicz.
Employers from the nonprofit MDF Biologics traded in their desks to do some heavy lifting. It's a volunteer opportunity through NeighborWorks of Northeastern PA.
"A lot of overgrowth; It's been left for quite a few years, probably longer than that. So we just like to clear it up and make it look good for the baseball league and the kids and the families," said Scranton Parks and Rec Director Scott Gassenmyer.
Clearing all that tree and brush is no easy feat. So, they had to call in the big rigs for backup.
"Some of the guys were excited they wanted to take on the big machinery. But they knew what they were in for to some extent, and they're just happy to be helping out," said volunteer Taina Cardona.
The nonprofit works with organ and tissue donors to help save lives. This work aligns with those goals.
"Part of our mission statement is helping our community, so that's why we're out here today. And we're using it as a team building event, having different people from different areas getting to know each other also," added Cardona.
Extra hands made light work Friday afternoon in West Scranton.
"We can get this job done ten times as fast, honestly. We usually can only get four, five guys out here normally, and we have 30 today," said Gassenmyer.
Clearing the way for kids to play ball and allowing parents to enjoy the views.
"I think we're making a lot of headway today. This was completely overgrown. It's 100% better," said Stankiewicz.
Once the path is cleared, the Scranton Parks and Rec department is working to connect a pathway from the little league to the nearby park and splash pad.