Year of Service

Girl Scouts of all ages have a long-standing commitment to their communities, their health, and their environment. Get active with GSNEO and participate in our Council’s Year of Healthy Living, Year of Service, and Year of Green Living patch programs. Complete 6 of 9 options for each of the patch programs.

Patch Program Update!

We no longer require you to complete a reporting form, it’s ‘on my honor’ participation! Purchase your patches for all Girl participants in the GSNEO shop or online.

September - Patriot Day toggle arrow

Each year, the President calls upon the American people for a day of remembrance and community service on September 11. Create a patriotic service project for the American service men and women who serve our country or design a project in your community to remind others about the great things our country has to offer.

October - Make a Difference Day toggle arrow

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing day of helping others — a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Identify a need in your community, put together a team, and plan your project. A project can be as simple as helping a neighbor, or as ambitious as restocking a local shelter with food or clothing. The opportunities are endless!

November - Goodwill Good Turn Day toggle arrow

Help collect clothing and goods to support Goodwill Industries’ employment placement and training programs. Collect three (3) bags of donations and/or volunteer for a shift at a donation site to earn the Good Turn Day patch. Register with the Goodwill office to receive your patch on the day of the event and to volunteer for a shift at designated donation centers. Visit the event page for a complete list of participating sites and registration information.

December - Meet a Holiday Need toggle arrow

Give the gift of friendship this holiday season. There are many ways to give joy to others. Ideas might include: sending a care package to military personnel, making holiday cards, decorating and donating a holiday tree, adopting a family in need, or collecting winter coats, gloves, and hats. Be creative and share your idea!

January - MLK Day of Service toggle arrow

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Join Americans across the country by coming together on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to serve your neighbors and communities. Turn your day off of school “ON” by donating time and energy to make an impact in your community. Check out Action Guides and Tips and Tools or register your project at mlkday.gov.

February - Harvest for Hunger toggle arrow

Restock local food banks to help individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Harvest for Hunger is one of the largest annual, community-wide food drives in the nation, providing critical resources to local hunger relief organizations. Contact your local participating food bank: Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, Cleveland Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, or Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

March - Cookies for Community toggle arrow

Customers can donate money directly to Girl Scouts, which will then be used to purchase cookies that are sent to local community organizations. It’s our way of sharing the sweetness and joy of Girl Scout Cookie Season.

Note: If the troop has physical cookies to donate — try to find a local organization that would like to take them in person. VA Clinics, food banks, nursing homes and first responders are excellent options to give back to your community.

Look for more details in your cookie sale training manual.

April - National Volunteer Appreciation Month toggle arrow

Every day, Girl Scout volunteers make fun, friendship, and awesome new experiences possible for girls across the country. On April 22, we celebrate National Girl Scout Leader’s Day. What can we say? We love Girl Scout volunteers the most! With love, patience, and a deep dedication to enriching the lives of girls everywhere, these incredible individuals give their time every day to mentor, inspire, and help girls discover the world around them and the spark inside of them. We are beyond grateful. Show your leader how much you appreciate them this month!

May - Animals toggle arrow

Love a pet! Contact your local animal shelter, Animal Protective League, or humane society to volunteer your time or gather donations needed to help care for these pets. Give service this month to the animals and the animal caretakers in your community.

One Warm Coat toggle arrow

Hold a coat drive with One Warm Coat! One Warm Coat is a national non-profit that works to create awareness of the vital need for warm coats across the country. Their mission is to provide free coats to children and adults in need while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability.

Your Troop can get started with their coat drive by registering with One Warm Coat here.
As your Troop collects coats, they will also create Pocket Notes as part of their service. Learn more about Pocket Notes here.
Use this Non-Profit Locator Map to find an agency near you that will accept your One Warm Coat donations.
If you have a specific nonprofit that you would like to use and they are not on the map, you can have them register with One Warm Coat to become an agency.

Haven of Rest toggle arrow

Haven of Rest Ministries invites GSNEO Girl Scouts to volunteer at its facilities. Founded in 1943 as a small storefront Rescue Mission, Haven of Rest is now one of the largest private social service agencies in Northeast Ohio. Filling a vital community role, Haven of Rest responds to the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of homeless men, women, and children.

Service opportunities for Girl Scouts include:

Making encouragement cards for meal trays.
Setting up dining room for meals (age 15+).
Serving meals (age 15+).
Baking dessert (cookies, cupcakes, or brownies) to be served at meals.
Making beds and folding pajamas & towels.
Holding drives for canned food and/or clothing.
Participate in annual “Hope Tote” programs (Easter, Thanksgiving, and/or Christmas).
Yardwork.
Raising funds to purchase toys for children at Christmas and birthdays.
And more!

To learn more about what your Girl Scout troop and IRGs can do and to schedule time to volunteer, contact Jan Pluck, Volunteer Coordinator, at jpluck@havenofrest.org or (330) 535-1563.