Gò0dNews Non-Profit Spotlight
Girl Scout Troop 19824
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by Elayna Roberts
irl Scout (GS) Troop 19824 is a local Dalton troop of
letters. When asked what they discovered about themselves
Girl Scout Juniors. The members are 3rd, 4th and
during the project, two girls answered: “I learned that I liked
5th graders from all over Dalton. The troop is led
being helpful” and “I learned I can make a powerful impact
by Jessica Brown, with Veru Soza as Treasurer and Elayna
in my community.” The whole troop was proud and happy
Roberts as Co-Leader. Members Addison, Anabelle, Josephine,
to make a difference in their community. They were able to
Kahmyia, Lena, Melanie, Sienna, Tala, and Zaira recently
live out the Girl Scout Promise and Law by helping others,
worked to complete their Bronze Award.
using resources wisely, making the world a better place, being
The first step of the Bronze Award process was to decide on a project. The girls brought up how they had seen people asking for food and living under bridges or in tents. They expressed concern for these community members living outside in the cold. The girls worked together to brainstorm possible ways to help. They settled on providing toiletry items in bags that could be carried around. The girls requested and received approval from their GS council and went to work! The Bronze Award is a prestigious award requiring the troop to make a plan of action and then implement the plan. The girls worked together as a team to write letters asking local businesses for donations. They then coordinated picking up and organizing the donations. During one of the troop’s monthly meetings, they packaged the items in bags. They partnered with Greater Works in Dalton to serve lunch and pass out the bags to thirty people. The bags included shampoo, conditioner, combs, soap, hand sanitizer, Chapstick, cotton swabs, nail clippers, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hot hands, shower caps, lotion, face-masks, socks, and bandages. Every individual was also provided with a blanket. The project was not always easy and the girls learned important lessons during the process. Some of the businesses we contacted were unable to donate because of corporate policies or supply chain issues caused by the pandemic. This required the girls to think of other places to ask or accept gift cards in place of items. We were honored to accept donations from Walmart on E Walnut and Shugart, Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn, and both Kroger Groceries in Dalton. Greater Works provided the hot-hands and blankets. The girls used $65 from their cookie sale profits to fund the rest. Throughout the project the girls demonstrated key leadership skills such as perseverance, problem solving, teamwork, confidence and maintaining cheerful attitudes. They inspired other members of the community to help by writing
30 // June 2022
faithful, and never giving up. We hope this inspires you to make a difference in your community today!
