Kids and summertime go together like popsicles and a
steamy-hot day, beach balls and sand, chalk and sidewalks.
Children from low-income families, however, may not take for
granted some of the simple pleasures of summer vacation. The
priority for their parents is putting meals on the table, not
purchasing boxes of chalk or inflatable balls.
That’s what Junior Girl Scouts from St. Leo the Great Church
in Fairfax realized as they worked toward their Bronze Award,
the highest honor a Junior Girl Scouts can achieve. The
result was “The 100 Bags Campaign,” a creative donation
effort for low-income students at Daniels Run Elementary
School, located across Old Lee Highway from the church.
“The girls wanted it to be more than just the school across
the street,” said troop leader Dawn Shook. They wanted to
“show its students that they cared.”
On June 10, members of Troop 2765 delivered 100 hand-sewn
bags to “the neighbors,” as troop member Allyson Shook put
it.
Overflowing with a variety of summertime staples – sunglasses
and sunblock, books, crayons, a small stuffed animal, chalk,
puzzles and a beach ball – the cloth bags and their contents
were nestled in brightly colored sand buckets.
To earn a Bronze Award, Junior Girl Scouts are required to
research needs in their community and organize a sustainable
service project. Twenty hours are required, but the St. Leo
troop put in double that, according to Shook.
Father David A. Whitestone, pastor, supported the effort, and
items were donated by parishioners, TD Bank in Fairfax and
local Girl Scout troops.
Shook said the girls have participated in many food and
clothing drives, but this was an opportunity “to give
something fun.” It also was “a perfect blend of their
Catholic faith and the Girl Scouts,” she said.
The project began with the eight fifth-graders – six St. Leo
the Great School students, one Daniels Run student and one
home-schooler – interviewing a city councilman, police
officer, doctor and Daniels Run Assistant Principal Dustin
Wright. “They heard a lot about poverty from everyone,” said
Shook.
When they discovered that Daniels Run has about 100 children
who receive food assistance through the school during the
academic year, they came up with their campaign.
Last Friday afternoon, the girls worked cooperatively to lug
all 100 bags into the Daniels Run School office.
“We are confident there will be lots of smiles because of
you,” Wright, a St. Leo parishioner, told the Junior Girls
Scouts. Although Daniels Run continues to provide
nonperishable food to low-income families during vacations,
Wright said families struggle to make ends meet.
“We are so very grateful, and (the bags) are going to make
for a wonderful summer for more than just 100 children,” said
Wright. He said students’ siblings also will get to enjoy the
thoughtfully selected items after they are distributed June
23, the last day of school.
“It was fun and a lot of hard work,” said troop member Avary
McCarthy, reflecting on the project. She explained that
sometimes the handles on the bags would fall off because
“some of us are just learning to sew.”
After posing for a group photo with the piles of bags, fellow
troop member Michelle Martin agreed it wasn’t easy, but added
that “it sure feels good.”
