Showing posts with label service projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label service projects. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2015
Sewing with Girl Scouts--May Meeting
My heart swelled, yet broke slightly, at our monthly Girl Scout meeting tonight. The girls have been discussing Bronze and Silver Award projects, and they decided to make blankets and pillows for local hospitals. I could not come up with something "fun" for the meeting, so I decided we would start with the project. I bought 4 pieces of light fleece to make tie blankets, and Mom found some pieces of material to sew and make pillow cases. We realized we didn't have the stuffing, but we can do that later. I showed the girls how to cut and tie the blankets while she showed them how to sew a simple stitch/hem with the sewing machine. The first girl, who took to it quickly and easily, happens to have the same name as my niece. All I could think was . . . this should be my niece and her grandmother sewing together. Maybe some day it will be, but at the rate we are going, it won't. My heart broke slightly at this sight and thought. However, I was excited that both of us could share these skills with three (only three came tonight) beautiful young ladies.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Bronze Award Project--Finished!
With a little prodding and planning on my part, my niece finished the requirements for her Girl Scout Bronze Award. Woohoo! Finally!!
My nephew helped us too to earn volunteer hours for Boy Scouts.
We put two pieces of fleece together, cut slits around the edges, and then tied the two strips together, going all the way around. The four blankets will be donated to a homeless shelter in the Metroplex.
My nephew helped us too to earn volunteer hours for Boy Scouts.
We put two pieces of fleece together, cut slits around the edges, and then tied the two strips together, going all the way around. The four blankets will be donated to a homeless shelter in the Metroplex.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Girl Scouts--Volunteering and Painting
Today, our girls had the opportunity to participate in two different activities.
The church, where my co-leader attends and I have been visiting, was volunteering to help build a local house with Habitat for Humanity. We learned that our girls were not old enough to assist with the building b/c one must be 16, so we asked if there was anything we could do to assist. There was! We brought and served lunch to all the volunteers today. We had sandwiches, pickles, chips, cookies, tea, and water. The girls were able to meet some of the church members as well as learn just a wee bit about Habitat for Humanity. They also met the family that will be moving into the house. We were invited back to the dedication this summer. The girls thought it was really neat to see the skeleton of the house before it was move-in ready. They can't wait to go back to see it all finished.
We had a little time to spare, so we let the girls play at McDonald's. They had an indoor play area on this warm, humid day. They got to enjoy an ice cream one too.
We spent the afternoon painting. A local teacher/painter taught the girls how to paint owls. They are so cute, and we had a ton of fun!
The church, where my co-leader attends and I have been visiting, was volunteering to help build a local house with Habitat for Humanity. We learned that our girls were not old enough to assist with the building b/c one must be 16, so we asked if there was anything we could do to assist. There was! We brought and served lunch to all the volunteers today. We had sandwiches, pickles, chips, cookies, tea, and water. The girls were able to meet some of the church members as well as learn just a wee bit about Habitat for Humanity. They also met the family that will be moving into the house. We were invited back to the dedication this summer. The girls thought it was really neat to see the skeleton of the house before it was move-in ready. They can't wait to go back to see it all finished.
Singing Grace
Serving lunch
Enjoying lunch
We had a little time to spare, so we let the girls play at McDonald's. They had an indoor play area on this warm, humid day. They got to enjoy an ice cream one too.
We spent the afternoon painting. A local teacher/painter taught the girls how to paint owls. They are so cute, and we had a ton of fun!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Happy 101st Birthday, Girl Scouts!
How did you celebrate the 101st Birthday of Girl Scouts?
We assisted a local organization through the church by purchasing groceries. Families who are struggling go to Helping Hands. If they qualify for assistance with food, they mark items they want on a grocery list. These items might be juice, pasta, boxed meals, dry beans, canned vegetables, fruits, or beans, toiletries, detergent, dish soap, and more. It does not include fresh meat, produce, or anything frozen or refrigerated.
Families, businesses, and churches around the community adopt families and purchase the food. The food is then delivered to Helping Hands to be given to the families.
Our church has adopted 3 families. We were going to purchase groceries for one family, but when we arrived at the church to get the credit card, we were asked to drop off a second family's list to another church member. After talking to her, we did the shopping for the family she had taken.
We had two Girl Scouts, a Boy Scout, and a little brother/friend/former Cub Scout. The boys took one family while the girls took the other. We followed our lists closely, made decisions to keep us under budget, and enjoyed knowing we were helping others.
After checking out, we took the groceries to Helping Hands.
We enjoyed a fantastic lunch together and topped it off with bundt cakes to celebrate Girl Scouts' Birthday.
I absolutely love that they are learning to give of themselves and their time to help others.
We assisted a local organization through the church by purchasing groceries. Families who are struggling go to Helping Hands. If they qualify for assistance with food, they mark items they want on a grocery list. These items might be juice, pasta, boxed meals, dry beans, canned vegetables, fruits, or beans, toiletries, detergent, dish soap, and more. It does not include fresh meat, produce, or anything frozen or refrigerated.
Families, businesses, and churches around the community adopt families and purchase the food. The food is then delivered to Helping Hands to be given to the families.
Our church has adopted 3 families. We were going to purchase groceries for one family, but when we arrived at the church to get the credit card, we were asked to drop off a second family's list to another church member. After talking to her, we did the shopping for the family she had taken.
We had two Girl Scouts, a Boy Scout, and a little brother/friend/former Cub Scout. The boys took one family while the girls took the other. We followed our lists closely, made decisions to keep us under budget, and enjoyed knowing we were helping others.
After checking out, we took the groceries to Helping Hands.
We enjoyed a fantastic lunch together and topped it off with bundt cakes to celebrate Girl Scouts' Birthday.
I absolutely love that they are learning to give of themselves and their time to help others.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Girl Scout Sunday 2013
Today is Girl Scout Sunday, the Sunday before Girl Scout Birthday, which is March 12th, when Girl Scouts will turn 101. Three of our girls spent the morning at First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, not only attending service, but they were greeters and ushers during the service.
After the service, the girls delivered their Be Prepared, Girl Scout themed, bags to a few memebers of the church who need a little extra TLC. While visiting the different rehab facilities, they looked at flowers to help earn the Flowers Badge.
After the service, the girls delivered their Be Prepared, Girl Scout themed, bags to a few memebers of the church who need a little extra TLC. While visiting the different rehab facilities, they looked at flowers to help earn the Flowers Badge.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
World Thinking Day and Bronze Award Project Update
On Friday evening, our troop met to cover two major topics. First, the girls who chose to participate, presented their World Thinking Day projects. The girls were given the choices of Jordan, Malawi, Pakistan, Venezuela, Russia, Japan, and Ireland. They were asked to tell us what Girl Scouting is like in the country, what the Girl Scout uniforms look like, and what life for a young girl is like in the country. The girls did a great job!
The second part of our evening was spent on their Bronze Award project. The girls decorated white coffee mugs with sharpies for Valentine's Day. (I put them in the oven on 350 degrees for 30 minutes to set the color.) They also decorated the gift bags. We will fill the mugs/bags with sugar free hot chocolate, coffee, tea, chocolates or cookie, and a book of poems/quotes for women or a tie for men. The bags will be taken to the church by the weekend and then delivered before Valentine's Day.
The second part of our evening was spent on their Bronze Award project. The girls decorated white coffee mugs with sharpies for Valentine's Day. (I put them in the oven on 350 degrees for 30 minutes to set the color.) They also decorated the gift bags. We will fill the mugs/bags with sugar free hot chocolate, coffee, tea, chocolates or cookie, and a book of poems/quotes for women or a tie for men. The bags will be taken to the church by the weekend and then delivered before Valentine's Day.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Bronze Award Project
Our January 25th meeting was all business. We don't like to do an "all business" meeting, but we had to have discussions that needed to lead to a decision and then planning for the Bronze Aware project/award. The girls had created a list of ideas a few months ago. Last night, we broke them into two groups. Each group was asked to narrow the choices down to their top three. Once both groups had three, we discussed them and then narrowed them down to one. Both groups chose two that were the same and then each had a different one. After discussing projects other local troops have done and some future projects, the girls decided to make bags/baskets for church shut-ins for four holidays between now and the end of May. They chose Valentine's Day, a Girl Scouts themed one to deliver on Girl Scout Sunday, Easter, and Spring. Once they had their concept and four holidays, they brainstormed a list of items to give elderly church members for each theme. J and I bought the items for the Valentine's gifts based on their lists and a few things we know about the church members. The girls will spend the February 1st meeting putting things together.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Meetings and Giving Continue
In November, we rediscussed plans for the spring. The girls voted to spend the night at a local zoo and visit a local aquarium and possibly do badge work. Looks like we are not old enough for badge work at the aquarium, so we might do a badge workshop while at the zoo. We shall see. The girls also created a list of interests to help us get started on their Bronze Award project. We will revisit their list, narrow it down, and get started in January. They ended the meeting making crafts to show what they are thankful for or to represent Thanksgiving.
Our December meeting brought fewer sweet faces due to recitals, Christmas programs, visiting relatives, and more, but those who were at the meeting created two ornaments and went caroling. We forgot that since we meet on a Friday night, many people are not home, but one wonderful family opened their door to hear their sweet voices. The girls also voted to spend $100 on coats to purchase for a local coat drive. We were able to purchase 5 coats to donate. Our girls have such sweet, giving hearts!
Our first meeting in January will be a parent meeting to get our cookie information. Be ready! Our cookie sellers will be out and about the second weekend of January!
Our December meeting brought fewer sweet faces due to recitals, Christmas programs, visiting relatives, and more, but those who were at the meeting created two ornaments and went caroling. We forgot that since we meet on a Friday night, many people are not home, but one wonderful family opened their door to hear their sweet voices. The girls also voted to spend $100 on coats to purchase for a local coat drive. We were able to purchase 5 coats to donate. Our girls have such sweet, giving hearts!
Our first meeting in January will be a parent meeting to get our cookie information. Be ready! Our cookie sellers will be out and about the second weekend of January!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Service Projects and Meetings Underway
We have already had 3 meetings and been involved in 4 service projects in less than 2 months.
Shoes
The church where I have been visiting with one of my best friends (and co-leader) supported a shoe drive for the Shoe Bank. We decided to get our girls involved, and with little notice, our girls donated between 25 and 30 pairs of shoes. The adult shoes will be shared in our Metroplex, and the children's shoes will be sent to Haiti.
Household Items
We are participating in the Goodwill Good Turn service opportunity. Each girl has been asked to bring 2 trash bags full of household items to donate. This can be clothes, towels, bed linens, dishes, pots/pans, and so much more. About half of our girls have participated, so I have bags and bags of items that I will be donating next weekend.
Exercise, Phantom Energy, and Food Items
Last year we participated in 9-10-11, so this year, we chose to participate in the 10-11-12 initiative. 10--We discussed exercise and being healthy as they got involved in 30 minutes of exercise for 10 days. This also tied into the Juniors' Get Moving! Journey.
11--To go along with Girl Scouts Going Green, we discussed saving energy. The girls had to find 11 items in their homes that are plugged in but are not turned on and then unplug them. These items are using phantom energy. There is a light on, a clock showing, or something else showing they are plugged in but not on. They are still using electricity even though they are not being used for their actual function.
12--Each girl was asked to donate 12 non-perishable food items that we will then donate to the local Food Pantry. 48 items are ready to go. We are hoping for a few more items before I donate them next week.
Grocery Shopping
The church where I have been visiting has "adopted" 3 needy families. Each month, someone at the church goes shopping for each family to purchase $100 worth of food and household necessities. Our girls met us at our local store to do the shopping last weekend. We discussed cost per unit/item, best price, store brands, and so much more. They had to keep up with what each item cost and get a total of what we were spending. They also subtracted to see how much we had left when making or decisions.
Meetings
Our 2nd meeting of the year was spent on Journey work and voting on whether or not to spend the night at the zoo or aquarium. We were very democratic in our voting system. While we wanted to spend the night at the zoo, the girls voted to spend the night at the aquarium, so we will be doing that in the spring. We are trying to set-up a workshop at the zoo.
Our 3rd meeting was spent with more fun/fellowship than before, so we did not get to our Journey work. However, we are going camping in about 3 weeks, so we spent a lot of time discussing our camping list and what we will be doing that weekend.
What is your troop doing this fall?
Shoes
The church where I have been visiting with one of my best friends (and co-leader) supported a shoe drive for the Shoe Bank. We decided to get our girls involved, and with little notice, our girls donated between 25 and 30 pairs of shoes. The adult shoes will be shared in our Metroplex, and the children's shoes will be sent to Haiti.
Household Items
We are participating in the Goodwill Good Turn service opportunity. Each girl has been asked to bring 2 trash bags full of household items to donate. This can be clothes, towels, bed linens, dishes, pots/pans, and so much more. About half of our girls have participated, so I have bags and bags of items that I will be donating next weekend.
Exercise, Phantom Energy, and Food Items
Last year we participated in 9-10-11, so this year, we chose to participate in the 10-11-12 initiative. 10--We discussed exercise and being healthy as they got involved in 30 minutes of exercise for 10 days. This also tied into the Juniors' Get Moving! Journey.
11--To go along with Girl Scouts Going Green, we discussed saving energy. The girls had to find 11 items in their homes that are plugged in but are not turned on and then unplug them. These items are using phantom energy. There is a light on, a clock showing, or something else showing they are plugged in but not on. They are still using electricity even though they are not being used for their actual function.
12--Each girl was asked to donate 12 non-perishable food items that we will then donate to the local Food Pantry. 48 items are ready to go. We are hoping for a few more items before I donate them next week.
The church where I have been visiting has "adopted" 3 needy families. Each month, someone at the church goes shopping for each family to purchase $100 worth of food and household necessities. Our girls met us at our local store to do the shopping last weekend. We discussed cost per unit/item, best price, store brands, and so much more. They had to keep up with what each item cost and get a total of what we were spending. They also subtracted to see how much we had left when making or decisions.
Meetings
Our 2nd meeting of the year was spent on Journey work and voting on whether or not to spend the night at the zoo or aquarium. We were very democratic in our voting system. While we wanted to spend the night at the zoo, the girls voted to spend the night at the aquarium, so we will be doing that in the spring. We are trying to set-up a workshop at the zoo.
Our 3rd meeting was spent with more fun/fellowship than before, so we did not get to our Journey work. However, we are going camping in about 3 weeks, so we spent a lot of time discussing our camping list and what we will be doing that weekend.
What is your troop doing this fall?
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