When Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 772 decided to go for their Bronze Award, they divided into groups based on their interests, to pursue different projects. Each group moved confidently forward and not only achieved their Bronze, but received recognition from their community, too!
The group consisting of Girl Scouts Addy, Saniyah and Leah built a “Blessing Box/Free Pantry” to be installed at Russell Memorial Library in Chesapeake. When they delivered the pantry they made sure to fully stock it, and the library staff were delighted to find that the girls had added wheels to the bottom of the unit so that it could be easily moved to any location. Staff currently have it situated in a more secluded part of the library, to afford privacy for those who use it.
“It’s going very well,” said JoLynn Holcomb, Library Manager. “We’ve restocked several times already. We even got a large donation of school supplies that we’ve put out for back to school shoppers.”
The library even ran an article in their newsletter featuring the project, and extended well-deserved kudos to the girls involved.
Girl Scout Juniors from Troop 772 building their mobile pantry
Girl Scouts Addy, Saniyah and Leah stocking their pantry
The finished product at Russell Memorial Library in Chesapeake
Girl Scouts Audrey, Natalie and Lilly “hanging out” at the Chittum Garden
Dedication plaque from Troop 772 at the “Chittum Spirit Garden”
Troop 772 earned the 2023 Resilient River Star Award for the school
The second group, made up of Girl Scouts Audrey, Natalie and Lilly, revived a flower garden that had been placed at the old E.W. Chittum Elementary to help with a current drainage problem at the new Chittum school. They coordinated their project with the school principal, Mrs. Bridget Outlaw, and the team at The Elizabeth River Project, a nonprofit organization leading the effort to restore the health of the Elizabeth River and surrounding wetlands. Many thanks to Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, a Girl Scout alum and a strong supporter of Girl Scouts who leads this nonprofit.
The Girl Scouts planted the “Chittum Spirit Garden” using native plants and trees. For their efforts and hard work, they earned the 2023 Resilient River Star Award for the school and were entered into the 2023 Youth Resilience Expo! (Check out their video below.)
Way to go, Troop 772!