Recent TeenWorks Project

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 8614 donates landscaping to Northampton Area Food Bank

Who we are:  Brownie Troop 8614 is made up of 16 girls in 2nd & 3rd grade.   Many attend Northampton Area Schools but some also attend local Catholic schools.  Our Troop is led by Jen Fandl and Christine Reber.  Jen is a mother of two elementary age daughters, both Girl Scouts.  And Chris has one daughter in our troop.  Chris is the project coordinator.  The Troop is a part of the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA Council. 
 
Why this project:  Our troop visited the Food Bank last fall to help prepare food orders and learn more about what the Food Bank does.  At that time, Chris talked to Pastor Nuscher, the NAFB President, about what other needs the organization had.  That’s when he mentioned the landscaping.  That need turned out to be a good fit for the Troop’s “Take Action” project.  

What are the Brownies Learning:  This beautification project came about through the Brownies’ desire to “make the world a better place.”  The project is the culmination of a Girl Scout Journey program that teaches leadership skills.  Brownies are old enough to begin to understand and appreciate the concept and value of leadership.  On this Journey, they uncover three keys that are the heart of the Girl Scout leadership philosophy – Discover, Connect, and Take Action.

What’s the plan: The girls have been involved every step of the way in the planning process.  They have learned about the plants and shrubs that grow well in our area.  They have visited a local garden center to study various plants we will be using.   They have brainstormed lists of materials needed for the project.  They have learned about how to create a landscape design on paper.  They have studied photos of the property and put on paper their creative ideas for the garden.  They have made presentations to the NAFB Board of Directors and to the Teen Works Board, a grant-making organization.   Once the installation begins, this will be a “hands-on” project for the girls and their families.  The leaders and adult volunteers are guiding them with the intention of making this a great learning experience with professional results.  We have received many generous donations from Brownie families that are making this project possible.  In particular, Michelle and Mark Milisits have committed the resources of their contracting business to the project.  And the girls have allocated a substantial portion of the money they raised from cookie sales to pay for project materials.       

What’s the schedule:  Weather permitting, we plan to break ground on this installation Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 6:30pm.  We expect it to take about five working days to complete.  The project is scheduled to be completed no later than June 8th when the dedication ceremony will take place.

Why this is news:    The Brownie Troop has been awarded a grant of $1000.00 from the Teen Works Board, a grant-making arm of local Union groups that operates under the umbrella of the United Way.  The project would not be possible without the generous donation of time and equipment from the Milisits family and their business, Atlas Custom Services.   The Northampton Area Food Bank is a vital part of the community, an all-volunteer group serving more than 500 families each month.  Our community service project acknowledges this great organization for the good work they do in our community.

For more information, please contact Christine Reber via email or by phone at 610-217-5201.

Photos from the project.

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