McDonald Girl Scouts Earn Prestigious Service Award

Girl Scout Troop 80344 received The Silver Level President's Volunteer Service Award for outstanding community service.  A surprise ceremony was held at Roosevelt Elementary School in McDonald on April 29, 2011, and included special guests Ohio State Representative Sean O'Brien, Mayor and Mrs. Glenn Holmes, and Principals Gary Carkido and David Vecchione.  As the Girl Scouts were congratulated by their special guests, Troop Leader Candice Ward and Assistant Troop Leaders Lori Gillespie and Patricia Vilk-Worrell presented the awards which consisted of the Silver Level Service Pin, a letter signed by President Barak Obama, Official Service Recognition Certificate, and a certificate stating the activities each girl participated in to earn the award. 

After morning announcements, a summary of the accomplishment and congratulations was announced to the student body which concluded with each Girl Scout being called down to be individually recognized by the troop leaders and special guests.  This past year, Girl Scout Troop 80344 of McDonald served 544 hours helping others and is already working hard toward their 2011 award.

These Girl Scouts routinely go above and beyond completing projects and working to make the world a better place, but they have also come to learn the importance of helping others.  These Girl Scouts have participated in more than 30 projects during 2010, some of which include: Project Linus for the Akron Children's Hospital Beeghly Campus, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley Collections, Veteran's Day Cards for the Cleveland Veteran's Hospital, Reverse Trick-or-Treat and Holiday Project at the Woodland Park Retirement Apartments, Make It Don't Take It Card Project, and Angel Tree Donation.  They also took up collections for school supplies, health kits, Animal Welfare League, Goodwill, Niles Community Center, Warren Family Mission, USO, and Center of Hope.

"There are so many thanks to be given for all the support of our troop's leadership, said Candice Ward .  "Girl Scout families, service organizations, school administrators, local and state government leaders, and Girl Scouts of North East Ohio - partnering together truly has had a positive impact on the lives of many, and we will continue working to make the world a better place."