Volunteer Fairfax sent out 900 volunteers to complete roughly 50 projects around the county last weekend in honor of the national "Make a Difference Day."
In Herndon, Rachel Carson Middle School's grounds got a face lift through the help of eight Volunteer Fairfax volunteers and many more students, staff and parents.
Representing Volunteer Fairfax, Kelly Eldridge, John Eldridge, Chris Roberts, Jeff Yoakum, Kris Oswalt, Chip Oswalt and Karen Fitzgivvon from AT&T, based out of Oakton, helped with yard work around the school.
In total, the school was able to have weeds pulled, donated perennials planted, its pond prepared for winter, seeds planted and additional gardening done to help the school prepare for the upcoming winter months, said Carla Garfield, eighth grade civics and engineering teacher for the school. Participating students were able to receive three hours toward the 20 hours of community service they are required to complete during the school year. Highlights of the day included finding a missing baby turtle that was lost earlier in the year in the school's courtyard.