THE ROAR: 'Go Greene'

That phone call startled many back to consciousness on the mild summer morning of June 30, 2009. The 1 a.m. ringing of the phone sounded like an alarm—always unwelcome. The voice of regret and despair pieced words together. The listener heard them slowly as if time had been stretched. But the message was clear, Derek Greene, 21, and his brother Gage Greene, 19, had been killed.
In the wake of death—murder, the friends and family of Derek and Gage Greene are not weeping in silence. Instead, through the community service team “Go Green,” the memory of the Greene brothers rests not in the darkness of a crime scene, but in the radiance of doing good for Biddeford.
“Being a person that was always on the streets, I thought it would be a good opportunity [joining Go Green],” said Eli Copeland said.
According to Go Greene advisor Laura Kimball, the Greene's encounter with alleged murderer Rory Holland may have been avoided if there was a group reaching out to youth on the streets. Seeing the absence of such a group and searching for strength, Tammy Cole, the mother of Derek and Gage, initiated Go Greene.
“She [Cole] wants to better things for the kids in the community,” said Kimball, “so they don't have encounters with unsafe situations.”
Through Cole's vision and hope for youth in the community, the strength she has needed after the death of her sons is no longer absent; Go Greene is a reality. With the condolence she gained through the group, the youth recognize Cole for what she means to them.
“We are her kids,” said Sydney Proctor. “She is like another mother.”
And to each other, they consider Go Greene their family. During their Tuesday night meetings and community service projects, they work together, laugh together, and most of all remember why it is they wear the shirts that read 'Do work' on one side and 'Go Greene' on the other.
“I think they [Derek and Gage] would be proud of us,” Kerry Chambers said.
The work that Go Greene continues to do around Biddeford has changed not only the appeal of the city, but the lives of the young adults that once spent their time on the streets—the same young adults that saw the bodies of Derek and Gage lay motionless. One day of removing graffiti from a brick wall is one more day that Derek and Gage have left their memory on this community. It is one more day that such tragedy has provided refuge for youth like Copeland who would otherwise be at risk.
“We've taken a negative action and turned it into a positive action,” said Proctor. “Instead of lashing out, we are doing projects that are helping the community.”
The group has been given opportunities from many different people. Tiffany Pelletier served on a youth panel in October that asked questions of the four Biddeford mayoral candidates. Go Greene planted flowers around Biddeford High School. They continue to clean graffiti off the walls and bridges around the city, and Rick Lachance had the team helping at Westbrook Skating Rink. However, Kimball described one person that has given the group something more than just an opportunity.
“Charlotte [Bourgault] placed her trust and confidence in Go Greene,” said Kimball.
As Director of In-a-Pinch, Bourgault was depended on by the community for her devotion to serve the public. For many years, she coordinated a Christmas gathering that provided children of less fortunate families presents. This year, Bourgault asked Go Greene to help coordinate the gathering, however; she passed away only days before. The project she took great pride in, Go Greene now carried the responsibility and expectations. And just as before, Go Greene rose to fill the void of a loss. Joy could be seen in the faces of the children and the community expressed their appreciation for Go Greene's work.
“Couldn't have done it without you,” Lachance said.
When candlelight burned bright in remembrance of Derek and Gage and tears represented more than words, the family that was born could not have been predicted. The appreciation and confidence in this group of youth could not have been foreseen. The strength and vision of Cole could not have been fathomed. And that phone call did not relate the message of lost lives, instead; it called for the memory of Derek and Gage to be carried forward. It called for the community service family, Go Greene.
“At that moment, we had two friends that were never coming back,” Proctor said.
Now, they have two friends that will never be forgotten.