Girl Scouts make a HUGE impact on the world around them near and far! They notice when a friend in their community needs a hand, and take action to help out in any way they can. Our girls have learned with Girl Scouts that “Can I?” quickly transforms into “I will!” – especially with the support and help of their troop – and this week we’re celebrating three Girl Scout Troops sharing that feeling with others by volunteering in their community!

Keep reading to learn more about our Girl Scout service superheroes, how they have helped others in their communities, and how you can be a leader in community service too!

Girl Scout Troop #1077

The girls of Girl Scout Troop #1077 used half of their Cookie Proceeds to build an edible garden for their local soup kitchen and homeless shelter! The girls weeded the land, rotated the soil, built raised flower beds, planted seeds, and continue to maintain the garden for the community. Way to put those green thumbs to good use, Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout Troop #1108

The Juniors of troop #1108 helped make a difference in the lives of women and girls at their local women’s shelter by using their hard-earned Cookie Proceeds to donate hygiene supplies, such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. The girls personalized each bag they made, and then filled them with the supplies before delivering them to the women’s shelter. Great work helping others, Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout Troop #1098

The Girl Scout Brownies of Troop #1098 decided to help the homeless by working with a group of women who crochet bedrolls! The girls gathered plastic shopping bags and cut them up to form the bags into “plarn” (plastic bag yarn). They loved having the opportunity to help the homeless and the environment by reusing material! Way to unleash your inner innovator, Girl Scouts!

Can’t wait to get involved and dive hands-first into service work in your community? Here’s a few fun ideas to get you started!

• Volunteer with your troop to prepare and serve a meal at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen!
• Help clean up a local park!
• Donate supplies for a charitable organization in your community – like an animal shelter!
• Visit a local senior citizen home or hospital! See if you can spend time with the residents, or help collect donations for needed supplies.
• Donate your used books to a library or school near you!
• Plus so much more!

These ideas don’t even make a dent in the giant list of ways you can help others! Do a little research with your troop, decide on a service activity you think would be fun and useful – and fly off into your very own service superhero project!

Girl Scouts also make an impact when they earn their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. To earn one of the Girl Scout Highest Awards, girls must identify a problem in their community or in the world and invoke positive change by leading a Take Action project. These awards can be earned by Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors.

Want to share with the world how even the smallest of hands can make a big impact? Share your troop’s service story with us and it might even make it onto our social media! Visit us at http://www.nccoastalpines.org/en/our-council/story-submissions.html to learn more, or share your Girl Scout story now!