North Adams Girl Scouts Give Meaning to Thanksgiving
 Girl Scouts Alyssa Smith, Jocelyn and Kailee Goodell, Kaylee Chrisman, Kimberlee DiBiase, Rebecca Vallieres, Sabriel Spencer, Tatum Ciempa (not in photo) and Tiana Carver are putting together Thanksgiving baskets for needy families. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Girl Scout Troop 11805 wanted to give back something to the community.
The 7-year-olds brainstormed until they came up with an answer suitable to the season: Thanksgiving dinner.
The local troop is holding a drawing for baskets of food for needy residents. The Thanksgiving feast will include the makings for stuffing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce and a choice of turkey or ham.
The number of baskets in the drawing will depend on the amount of donations the troop receives.
"The more we can get the better," said Scout Leader Ashley Goodell.
Goodell said the idea came during a talk about how the troop could do a community service project.
"The majority vote was lets help families don't have food," said Goodell. She and co-Leader Alicia Moore did guide the girls a little in thinking about how a project could be done, she said, but "they really came up with the idea on their own."
The girls had some of their first baskets put together last week to show what they had done. They're accepting donations from local supermarkets, businesses and individuals, and were able to get donations through a read-a-thon they've been doing.
They are hoping to read 90 minutes during the month of October. Their favorite books so far are "My Little Pony," the classic "Clifford the Big Red Dog" and "No Jumping on the Bed."
If they make it to $100 (all of which goes to the Thanksgiving dinners), they're celebrate with — not turkey! — but a pizza party. They will also each get a badge for their community service efforts.
Goodell said their efforts are very much based on the Girl Scout promise and law, which include the promises to "to help people at all times" and to be "friendly and helpful, considerate and caring."
"I would have to say these girls are definitely trying to keep to that promise and try to live by the law," she said.
The girls last year sent two large care packages to a soldier overseas and planted flowers at the North Adams Ambulance.
"Last year, as Daisies they needed so much help and really had no clue about the world," Goodell said. "Now it is so great to see the improvement in one year that these girls have made. They came up with this idea on their own and that's thanks to Girl Scouts and what we have been able to teach them."
The drawing will be held on Nov. 20 and handed out on Friday, Nov. 22.
The girls said it wasn't too hard to come up with the Thanksgiving idea because the holiday is like having a party.
"My whole family comes over and we have a Thanksgiving party," said Rebecca Vallieres.
Those interested in entering the drawing can submit their names and numbers to Goodell at 413-664-0184 or ashg826@yahoo.com. Goodell is also accepting donations to stock more baskets.
Tags: benefit, food drive, Girl Scouts, holiday,
