COURTESY PHOTO
From left, Garden Club member Donna Manoogian, scholarship recipients Andrea Dame and Ryan Duggan, and Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment president Ann Devlin.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment celebrated its 44th year and provided two college scholarships to high school students at its annual meeting.
Andrea Dome and Ryan Duggan each received $500 to put toward their college education at the annual dinner and meeting at the Saugus Italian American Club last week. SAVE historically gives away one scholarship each year, but a donation from the Saugus Garden Club allowed them to hand out two.
The nonprofit organization was incorporated in 1973 to “promote a better quality of life in Saugus through environmental concern and actions.” Its members support the preservation and protection of natural resources, particularly the town’s wetlands, through enforcement of state and local laws.
A group of the organization’s advocates traveled to Washington D.C. to march with hundreds of thousands of people in the People’s Climate March in April. Most recently, SAVE members have spoken out against any possible expansion of Wheelabrator Saugus’ ash landfill.
Ann Devlin was elected to be the organization’s president in 2018. Her team will include vice-president Margery Hunter, secretary Pam Goodwin, and treasurer Carol Chelf.
Carol Oldham, executive director of Mass Climate Action Network, gave a presentation to event attendees Wednesday. Oldham has more than a decade of experience working on climate for national environmental organizations. She has managed regional campaigns, staff, and consultants with a focus on influencing federal climate change police and increasing the use of clean energy.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.