David Marcus said he knew he lived in a close-knit community. But when he sought donations to help him with his Eagle Scout project, the response was greater than he had even hoped.

On April 26, three members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7738 of Bath came to Wiscasset High School and gave the 17-year-old junior $800. He had already received about $500 in donations following news coverage of his plans, so the VFW's check put him past the $900 he needed, he said.

Marcus is out to mark the parts of the Wiscasset trail system that link the Sortwell Pines with the Wiscasset Community Center and Morris Farm. He's thankful to everyone who donated. “It definitely helps a lot. It means I don't have to send out desperate letters to my friends and family,” he said.

Marcus already has plans for the money that's left after he has marked the trails and put up kiosks: He'll give it to the community center to help maintain the trails, he said.

In addition to being one of the final steps he'll take toward becoming an Eagle Scout, Marcus said he hopes the marking project will result in the trails getting more use.

Asked about the VFW post's donation, Junior Vice Cmdr. Kenneth Lambert said Marcus' plans were a natural fit with the types of projects the VFW likes to contribute its bingo revenues to.

“It's an example of that kind of selfless service that we appreciate,” Lambert said.

WHS Principal Deb Taylor, Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza and Marcus' mother Paula Marcus watched as Lambert handed her son the check. Later Souza said he was surprised by the check's size but not by the VFW's generosity.

“It's awesome,” Paula Marcus said of the donation.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.