Ben Donsbach, left, and volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Ben Donsbach, left, and volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.

In pictures: Lakeside student tackles Helene damage for Eagle project

July 18, 2026·Mike Adams·Comments Off on In pictures: Lakeside student tackles Helene damage for Eagle project

Although it’s been almost two years since Hurricane Helene devastated the Augusta area, some areas are still recovering.

On Saturday, Ben Donsbach, a 17-year-old student in Lakeside High School’s IB program gathered a group of volunteers to clean up some of the mess from the monster storm.

The Stevens Creek Elementary School Nature Fitness Trail next to the playground saw multiple downed trees. The teen, who is also captain of his school’s cross country team, decided to take on the effort for his Eagle Scout project.

Volunteers gathered at 6:30 a.m. with promises of donuts for breakfast and pizza for lunch.

A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
Volunteers work on repairing damaged equipment on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News
A host of volunteers work on opening up trails at the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’;s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News
Ben Donsbach, second from right, works volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush as part of his Eagle Scout project on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A host of volunteers work on clearing downed trees and brush on the Stevens Creek Elementary Nature Fitness Trail as part of Ben Donsbach’s Eagle Scout project on July 18, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News
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Mike Adams is a veteran photographer who has won multiple South Carolina and Georgia Press Association Awards in his career including nine in 2026 for Augusta Good News. During his career, he’s photographed for several news outlets including The Augusta Chronicle and the Aiken Standard. Sign up for the Augusta Good News weekly newsletter here.

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