YA Trail Cleanup: Fairfax City, VA
On February 28, 2026, Young Adult (YA) volunteers from the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Fairfax, VA, gathered for a meaningful day of environmental service, turning gratitude for Mother Nature into tangible action. Under the warm sun, the six-member team cleaned up the Wilcoxon Trail, a popular hiking and biking trail in the 3-acre Wilcoxon Park.
With supplies provided by the Fairfax City Public Works Department, including, safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, and collection bags, the group worked from 2 to 4 p.m., picking up litter along the trail. Showing incredible patience and dedication, the group’s enthusiasm led them deeper into the woods where they uncovered—and cleared—significant amounts of hidden trash.
For some, a highlight of the day was wading directly into the nearby stream to ensure the water was as clear as the trail. It was a day defined by unity, hard work, and a profound sense of connection to the environment. Members even came up with a slogan of their own: “Trash is worth it!”
For one participant, one of the most inspiring aspects of this project was the seamless support from the Fairfax City Public Works Department. “They didn't just provide guidance on where our efforts were needed most; they equipped us with everything we needed.”
“This partnership makes it incredibly easy for any volunteer group to organize their own cleanup. Because the city provides the necessary supplies and teams can schedule service activities at their own convenience. We hope this model inspires other groups within our center to take the lead and give back to our local green spaces.”
For another member, their actions seemed to live up to Sathya Sai’s message “The hands that serve are holier than lips that pray” and “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, both perfectly aligned with this service activity.
During the service, more than four bags of trash was collected, totaling ten pounds. For Manoj Gootam, Fairfax’s YA representative and the project lead, when he was preparing for the service, he was initially focused on the logistics, “But when we actually started, something shifted. As we spread out across the trail, I stopped seeing it as a ‘project’ and it became a conversation with Mother Nature. For me, every piece of litter I picked up felt like I was clearing a bit of noise out of my own head. Leading this effort was a powerful reminder that our spiritual path, much like a physical trail, requires constant care. As we cleared away the debris, I realized how easily the ‘path’ can become hidden if we aren’t mindful and consistent in our spiritual efforts. By the end of the day, I was left with a deep sense of peace and a renewed commitment to keeping my own "internal path just as clean as the trail we left behind."