Posted 6/27/01
Kids helping kids
Recently Girl Scout Troop 1113 worked on a community service project. The project started out as a way to use some of the troopís cookie sale money to help others. Each year several of the troops in our area spend a percentage of their cookie money on local charities, so keep buying those Girl Scout Cookies, you never know who will benefit from it.
In order for the project to reach more kids, the girls from Troop 1113 wrote, signed and sent out letters to area businesses requesting donations of small items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps and shampoo. The letters were received very well and the troop got responses from several of them.
As we talked about the needs of others, the girls did an awesome job deciding as a group what items they thought would be appropriate, our list grew very fast, so the girls filled out a grant application that was being offered through Youth As Resources (Y.A.R). The girls filled out the grants themselves then attended a Y.A.R. board meeting to present their project.
Troop 1113 then went to the Cambridge Wal-Mart to purchase the items on their list. Items included diapers, baby wipes, backpacks, school supplies, books, and small toys, as well as things to make six Birthday Boxes. Then the girls put together 144 personal hygiene packets, which contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, soap, and shampoo, must of these items were donated.
The items were then delivered to the Chisago/Isanti Crisis Nursery and told how all the items they brought would help kids in their community. Each Girl Scout learned an important lesson on community service, helping someone else, and also learned a bit about writing a grant. Part of the grant requirement was that the kids spend 10 percent of the grant money for a celebration of their accomplishment. They are planning a late summer camp out and will use the money to purchase the food which will include Símores, of course!
We want to thank the following businesses for their support of our project: Bradley L. Videen, D.D.S., M.S., Steve M. Schwarten, D.D.S. (both out of Cambridge), Super 8 Motel, and the AmericInn in North Branch. Also, a great big thank you to the Y.A.R. panel and Community Partnership for supporting and making this worthwhile project happen on a larger level than it began.
If you would like more information on how you can:
ď Join the Girl Scout organization in our area (adults too), contact Sara Lebens at 651-462-3479.
ď Help or to learn more about the Crisis Nursery call Anne Meyer or Julie Lane at 651-674-8569.
ď Or to find out information about the Y.A.R. program, and access money for your project, contact the Community Partnership in North Branch at 651-674-4085. The Community Partnership provides resources, support, and opportunities for young people, their families and their communities.