Girl Scout Troop Working to Supply Area Youth with Summer Necessities

Girl Scout Troop 40289 in Fanwood-Scotch Plains is seeking the community's help for earning its Bronze Award.

The troop has decided to collect summer supplies for kids in need through Homefirst of Union County. Residents are being asked to donate new items including beach towels, goggles, sun block, lip balm, hats or visors, insulated lunch bags, gift cards for clothing stores to purchase bathing suits and reusable water bottles. Items can be dropped off at the Double Dipper Café in downtown Fanwood  May 29 through June 12 or at the Klockner Family Home at 1 Briarcliffe Road in Scotch Plains.

The 5th grade Junior Girl Scout troop worked together with their meeting leaders, Michelle Shapiro Abraham and Laurie Oliver, to choose a meaningful  project for their Bronze Award. They learned about poverty and the issues facing the poor in the United States.

"When we watched a movie about homelessness in America," says troop member Maria Klockner, "it made me realize how many people are in need that can really use our help."

The girls discussed how they could make a difference and what types of projects they could do, and ultimately decided to work with Homefirst Interfaith Housing and Family Services located in Plainfield, which serves the homeless and disadvantaged population in our area.

The troop, made up of Terrill Middle School students, reached out to Homefirst, who asked them to collect summer supplies to help kids attend summer day camps.

Many of the girls knew of Homefirst and the work that they do through their partnership with local synagogues and churches.

"Many of the children that Homefirst works with attend local day camps," said troop leader Michelle Shapiro Abraham. "We often don't give a lot of thought to all of the supplies you need for camp – towels, bathing suits, lunch bags, etc. – but these can become  a hardship for these families."

In addition to the donations collected at the Double Dipper Café, the girls are also planning a garage sale and a lemonade stand to help collect items.

"I think it is really cool to help kids in need," said troop member Christina Lamagna. "We have the power to make their lives better."

Please contact Michelle Shapiro Abraham, troop meeting leader, at msamaje@gmail.com for more information, or to arrange a pick up if needed.