Kaity Farrell- kfgirlscouts@hotmail.com
Required Service Projects for All Troops (not just inchworm). The chosen agencies in our SU are Hunterdon Developmental Center and Hunterdon Interfaith Hospitality Network. Our food bank is the Open Cupboard Food Pantry in High Bridge, but other food pantries count as well. A report of your troop’s total service hours is due to me by June; start keeping a record now to save you and me from a headache later.
For information on required projects visit http://www.girlscouts-rh.org/serviceproj.htm
(Refer to list below for more information on each project)
*for both these events the admission is to bring a can of food for the open cupboard food pantry
**Don’t just use the projects above, there are so many
other ways you can help serve your community. The lists compiled below are all
ways your troop can earn service hours. If you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions, you can contact me by phone, email, or you can ask me at a
meeting.**
Service Suggestions
The following are service
suggestions that you can refer to during the year. They are divided into 7
groups to help you navigate more easily. The groups are in the following order:
projects for required service, monthly seasonal and annual projects, local
projects, national/international projects, projects within girl scouts, animal
related projects, and meeting quickies.
1.
Projects for Required Service
Birthday in a Box I heard of a troop who assembled a "birthday
party in a box" for the food pantry. You could decorate goodie bags and
party hats and assemble them with plates, napkins party favors, cake mix etc.
The box could also be decorated and you could even make a centerpiece, decorate
cups or make fancy placemats or napkin rings. That might be really fun - just
use your imagination!
Adopt a Family Your troop can adopt a
family from the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. The troop can do various things for
the family throughout the year. You will receive a wish list for Christmas
presents and clothing sizes for the members of the family. The troop can also
choose to provide holiday baskets for other holidays such as Thanksgiving,
Easter, Valentine's day or Mother's day. You decide how much or how little you
want to do. At the October leader's meeting please sign up for what size and
type of family you want to adopt and I'll get a family assigned to your troop.
School Supplies The Open Cupboard Food
Pantry in High Bridge is always in need of school supplies. If your troop did
not collect school supplies over the summer, perhaps they could collect some at
your troop's organizational meeting before school starts. Just remember to get
them to the Open Cupboard Food Pantry or drop them off at packet pickup before
school starts, so they can be distributed in time for the start of school.
Open Cupboard Food Pantry Thrift Shop The Open
Cupboard Food Pantry is located at 81 West Main Street, High Bridge (in the
same complex as the Chinese Food Restaurant next to the First Aid Squad). They
have a thrift shop. Your troop can donate items for them to sell at their
thrift shop. They will take anything except furniture. This is a great time to
clean out your attic! If you have any questions you can contact Jan Stalnaker
at 638-6007.
Hunterdon Interfaith Hospitality Network Churches in
Hunterdon County take turns housing homeless families. This is our new required
service project (or you can still do Hunterdon Developmental instead). Here are
some things you can do to help out. Collect Toiletries or collect school
supplies, Prepare meals and bring them to the church, collect videos and board
games.
Remember
these are homeless children with very few possessions. One suggestion is to
assemble small boxes or bags with small toys that a child can call his or her
own. Suggestions for contents could include playing cards, yo-yos, jacks, silly
putty, crayons, small cars, and jump ropes. Older girls might really appreciate
a bag with nail polish and hair accessories. You might even include a fashion
magazine!
The
contact person for Interfaith Hospitality Network is Tammy LeBar (908) 782-2490.
She can put you in touch with whichever church is hosting families when you
want to volunteer.
Hunterdon Developmental Center This is one
of our required service projects. This is a state run facility, which serves
640 adults with Developmental Disabilities. There are a lot of opportunities to
serve this worthwhile organization in addition to the Personal Care Drive. Our
contact at the center is Carol Smith who can be reached at 730-1320. Be sure to
coordinate what you are planning with her.
They
have a wonderful holiday program where you help wrap Christmas presents and
also see a short video about the center. Register early for gift-wrapping, it's
a popular (and fun) activity. Other holiday ideas include hosting a party,
Christmas caroling or sponsoring (before Nov. 1) one or more residents by
providing Christmas presents. You might also consider making Christmas
centerpieces or Christmas banners.
Other
needed items include: wash cloths, bibs (the size of hand towels), lap robes
(3' x 4') for wheel chair patients, bags to hang on the back of wheelchairs
(sized to fit a notebook). Also think about collages, mobiles, small pillows,
scatter rugs, holiday decorations, or table napkins. For recreation they can
always use cassettes and CD's, picture books, wooden puzzles with big pieces,
shape games and even homemade musical instruments. Be sure to avoid small
beads, glitter and glass items.
Activities
at the center can include planting flowers, adopting a garden (including summer
weeding) or hosting a cottage birthday party for 33 residents. I'm sure Carol
has even more suggestions. Give her a call!
Food Drives There are
lost of different theme drives you can have for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry.
Having a theme makes it a little more fun. School Supplies (in Aug., or early
Sept.), etc.), Kid's Food (canned ravioli, 100% juice, granola bars, etc.),
Holiday Food (pumpkins at Halloween, eggs at Easter, candy canes or cookies at
Christmas, etc.), Cleaning and Laundry Supplies, Breakfast Items (pancake mix,
juice, muffins, etc.), Baking Items (sugar, cake mixes), and Baby Supplies
(diapers, Desitin, formula). Call Anne at 638-5773 to find out what diaper
sizes are needed - usually L and XL or to find out which items are in short
supply. Another great ides is a wrapping paper/ribbon drive for wrapping
holiday gifts.
Personal Care Drive This is a
drive to collect things like cosmetics, nail polish, soap, shampoo, disposable
razors, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items collected get split between the
Hunterdon Developmental Center and the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. If your troop
participates in their drive, it can count it as their required service towards
one or the other of these organizations. Let me know if your troop wants to do
it this year. This is a great combination because the Food Pantry wants the
basics like shampoo, lotion and toothpaste. Hunterdon Developmental wants the
more exotic stuff like cosmetics.
Easter Baskets If your troop would like to
make Easter baskets for the food pantry, I will collect them at the March
leaders meeting. A good source of items for the baskets is the dollar store.
Your troop can decorate the baskets or include Easter crafts. All candy must be
in its original packaging.
Baby Bundles visit http://girlscouts-rh.org/babyb.htm
for information on baby bundles. This is a service project suggested by council
for the Girl Scout National day of Service in March. The Open Cupboard Food
Pantry is happy to accept any of your baby bundles. You might also consider
donating them to a women's shelter.
Halloween Candy Drive Collect
bags of Halloween Candy or other goodies for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. I
will be collecting these items at the October leader’s meeting.
2.
Seasonal, Monthly, and Annual Projects
Backpack Challenge The MOMs club of Lebanon
have a yearly drive to collect backpacks full of supplies for foster children
in Hunterdon County. Things that can be included a backpack or duffle bag
include washcloths and towels, twin-size pillowcases and sheets, toothbrushes
and tooth brush cases, hairbrushes, combs, hair picks, toiletries, batteries,
headbands, hair ties, journals, cameras, pens, markers, pencils, pencil
sharpeners, small pads of paper, erasers, pencil cases, coloring books, crayons,
books, small toys, small stuffed animals, travel games, hats, gloves, baby
items, socks, undergarments, and gift cards. The bags will be given to foster
children infants to 18. If you make a full backpack be sure to label it with
sex and age appropriate to the bag. Loose items can also be donated. The drive
takes place annually in early fall. For more information or to donate call
236-8215.
One Warm Coat This is an organization that
provides coats to needy people free of charge. If your troop would like to
start a collection visit http://www.onewarmcoat.org and view the
guidebook. Marcia at council is our coordinator for this service project.
Operation Christmas Child This is a
program where volunteers put together a shoebox filled with small gifts, which
are then sent to children who are in desperate situations around the world.
Boxes can be wrapped or decorated so that the top can be opened. You may want
to enclose a letter and a self-addressed envelope. Perhaps you'll get a note
back! Visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org
for more information. I will order brochures and labels and have them available
at the October meeting. I will collect boxes at the November meeting.
Adopt a Family Your troop
can adopt a family from the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. The troop can do various
things for the family throughout the year. You will receive a wish list for
Christmas presents and clothing sizes for the members of the family. The troop
can also choose to provide holiday baskets for other holidays such as
Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine's day or Mother's day. You decide how much or
how little you want to do. At the October leader's meeting please sign up for
what size and type of family you want to adopt and I'll get a family assigned
to your troop.
Hay bale Races The Somerset Medical Center
Auxiliary has a foot race every year at RVCC. My mom and I have volunteered at
this for two years and it is a lot of fun. They could use girls to be turn
marshals, hand out water and man the refreshment tables after the race. It is
on Saturday, October 4th starting at 7am. The race ends around noon. If you are
interested you can contact them at 732-381-0318 for more info.
Dewitt Family Fun Day October 9th
is family fun day at camp Dewitt. Council is looking for troops to run booths
for the day (11:00-3:00). Contact Marcia at council 725-1226 to sign up to run
a booth. It is an easy and fun way to earn service hours. Marcia has many ideas
for booths, but your troop may also come up with one on shier own. Many
especially enjoy craft booths. Patches are available for girls who participate.
Theme Basket Council needs a basket from the
Service Unit for a raffle at the Dewitt Family Fun Day, if your troop would put
the basket together, the Service Unit will pay for the expenses (around $50).
The Family Fun basket is due to council October 1st. let me know if you want to
make a basket and what your theme will be. I have to let council know, so they
can avoid duplication. Theme examples from previous years include: The Orient
Express, Tea Time, Dinner & a Movie, Kid's Crafts, Goin' on a Picnic, Fall
gardening, Game Night, Holiday Decor, Tools, Photo Time, Bath Time, Barbie,
Scrapbook Memories, Pizza Night, Coffee Time, Mexican Fiesta, A Rainy Day,
Muffin Makin', and Desserts.
School Supplies The Open Cupboard Food
Pantry in High Bridge is always in need of school supplies. If your troop did
not collect school supplies over the summer, perhaps they could collect some at
your troop's organizational meeting before school starts. Just remember to get
them to the Open Cupboard Food Pantry or drop them off at packet pickup before
school starts, so they can be distributed in time for the start of school.
Acorns Girls can collect acorns in a cap
less one-gallon milk jug to be given to a state park. They will be planted,
grown at the Forestry and Environmental Education Facility for 1 year and then
planted statewide. Call Voorhees State Park at 638-6969 for drop off times from
September to October 30.
Tewksbury Harvest Festival On Sept. ?
the annual harvest festival will take place at the Christie Hoffman Park. They
are looking for volunteers to run exhibits, work the food stand or coordinate
children's activities. If you are interested, contact Jeffrey Anderson
(439-2532).
Blood Drive The annual
SU1 blood drive will be held at Valley View School on March 5th. In order to
donate blood, a person must be at least 17 years old, be in good health, weigh
at least 110 pounds, and have not donated within two months prior to the blood
drive.
The
most important way your troop can contribute is to publicize to your troop
parents. Make invitations inviting parents to come donate blood. How about
combining the invitations with a Valentine's Day card? Every girl who brings a
parent or other adult can receive one hour of service towards Inchworm.
We
need a troop to take responsibility for publicity in each school district.
Troops who sign-up to do publicity will be provided with blood drive posters to
complete and display in the area. They should also place an article in the
school newspaper.
One troop is needed to make
sandwiches for the nurses. Another is needed to make thank you cards for the
donors. Some troops are needed to bake goodies for the donors. Since this job
is so popular we ask that you limit your donations to two batches of goodies
per troop.
Make a Difference Day October 23,
2003 is Make a Difference Day. Any service that is done on or around that day
can be reported to them. Register your idea before September 10 and you could
win a grant or supplies to support your project! Go to http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/
for some terrific service ideas. This site also allows you to order "Make
a Difference Day" patches for your troop. It's a great program so go do
some service!
Christmas Caroling Choose a local senior center
or few shut-ins in your neighborhood. Bring your troop caroling to bring good
sprits to those who may be feeling down.
Born Again Recycling Program Troops can
send in the fronts of greeting cards (if they do not have writing on the back
of them). You can send cards such as Christmas cards, Thanksgiving Day cards,
Mother's Day, Easter, etc. Send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, 100 St.
Jude's Street, Boulder City, NV 89005-1618. I will hold a drive to collect
these for the January leaders meeting.
Easter Baskets If your troop would like to
make Easter baskets for the food pantry, I will collect them at the March
leaders meeting. A good source of items for the baskets is the dollar store.
Your troop can decorate the baskets or include Easter crafts. All candy must be
in its original packaging.
Halloween Candy Drive Collect
bags of Halloween Candy or other goodies for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. I
will be collecting these items at the October leader’s meeting.
3.
Local Projects
Lebanon Fire Department The Lebanon
Fire Department is interested in finding volunteers to help out with their
monthly pancake breakfasts and other events throughout the year. If your troop
is interested in this contact Carol Clark at 832-5469.
Women’s Crisis Service The Woman's
Crisis Services frequently has ways that we can help. One time they were
looking for donations of art supplies and T-shirts for a therapy program for
children who have witnessed or been affected by domestic violence. They
collected white T-shirts in various sizes (children through adult) and art
supplies - markers of any kind, paint brushes, pencils and any other creative
medium such as glitter glue. Another time a troop collected supplies for anger
management bags. Call them and they will gladly give you more ideas of things
the girls can do. They are very friendly and it is a great program. If you are
interested call their office in Flemington at 908-788-7666
Here is their current wish
list: laundry detergents and dryer sheets, cleaning supplies including Lysol,
bathroom cleaner dish soap, sponges, dishwasher detergent etc., case of paper towels,
case of toilet paper, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, wax paper, seal able baggies
of all sizes, air fresheners, Band-Aids, hair combs and brushes, deodorant for
boys and girls, nail polish, remover, make-up, snack foods (.e. fruit snacks,
granola bars, microwave popcorn, etc.), 100% fruit juice drinks, canned coffee,
school supplies including; backpacks, notebooks, notebook paper, black ink
pens, rulers, pencils, elementary school tablets, crayons, etc., date books,
alarm clocks, gift certificates for; gasoline (ask at the desk how to obtain
these), Jiffy Lube, women's bras, Shoprite, fast food restaurants, BJs, and
prepaid phone cards
NJ Special Olympics This
organization frequently has need of volunteers. Their web site is http://www.sonj.org
Hunterdon Medical Center Volunteer Girls who
are 14 or older can volunteer their time at the Hunterdon Medical Center.
Volunteers must attend an orientation and commit to work a minimum of 100
hours. Visit http://www.hunterdonhealthcare.org/services/volunteer.asp
or call (908) 788-6140 for more information
Tewksbury’s 250th Anniversary The
Township of Tewksbury will be celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2005 and
they have many events planned throughout the year to celebrate including a time
capsule burial, an anniversary parade (maybe girls could march in it with shier
uniforms?) and many other events. I am sure there are plenty of things that
girls could help out at with these events and they can even plan shier own
events. If your troop is interested contact Shaun C. Van Doren at
scvd123@earthlink.net.
Tewksbury to Tewksbury Program The town of
Tewksbury is looking for Girl Scouts to get involved in this program. The
purpose is to get a connection between Tewksbury New Jersey and Tewksbury
England. I have attended their meeting and they threw out a bunch of ideas like
a friendship garden, a home exchange program, and a pen pal system where girls
could talk about Tewksbury, their daily life, share what they do in Girl
Scouts, or even exchange SWAPS with the Girl Guides in England. If any troops
would be interested in participating or if you have any other ideas please let
me know.
Woodglen and Valley View School Beautification If your
troop would be interested in helping out with beautification in the gardens and
court yards at the Lebanon schools, you can contact Anne Simpson who is a 5th
grade junior troop leader. Her phone number is 832-7494.
Tewksbury Parks The Tewksbury Parks
Commission is interested in having Scouts help them with several events. If you
are interested contact John Macchione at mach2@lucent.com or at 439-3772.
Califon Pancake Breakfast The Califon
fire department is always happy to have Girl Scouts help at their Pancake
breakfasts, which are at the first Sunday of every month from 7am-noon. Contact
them at 832-2488 for more information.
SHIP The Samaritan Homeless
Interim Program provides meals for homeless people in Somerville. You might
consider having your troop make some casseroles, desserts or sandwiches. They
are located at 67 West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. To find out more and
make arrangements to deliver your food, contact Tom O'Leary whose number is
(908) 725-3260
They
also would like younger girls to decorate place mats and make centerpieces for
their holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter Sunday).
When you decorate your place mats make sure they are not too small (bigger than
8 1/2 x 11 is better) and that you don't put your names on it. They should have
a holiday theme. You can drop these off directly at shier location in
Somerville.
SHIP is always in need of
utensils wrapped in napkins. Wrap a plastic knife, fork and spoon in a paper
napkin. You might consider using mailing labels printed with troop number and a
message to hold the napkin closed. You can drop these off at shier location in
Somerville.
Camp Bernie Clean-Up Camp Bernie
holds a spring and fall cleanup and is always looking for girls to come help
and clean- up the camp. They will provide you with food and as a thank you they
will allow you to stay overnight and participate in their program the next day.
This is a great opportunity for Juniors and above. Sixth grade Junior troop #374
did this and they had a great day and got lots of service hours. They recommend
it highly! For additional information contact Camp Bernie at (908) 832-5315.
Nursing Homes Little Brook Nursing Home, PO Box
398, 78 Sliker Rd, Califon, NJ 07830 Contact Jennifer at 832-2220 9-5 M-F. They
have made a special request for troops that can come visit and do crafts with
some of the residents. This is the nursing home that is located on Sliker Road
beyond the A&P.
Another local nursing home
is: Rolling Hills of Hunterdon Care Center, 16 Cratetown Rd, Lebanon, NJ 08833
Suggestions for service
include: Visit in Halloween costumes and trick or treat from room to room. Sing
seasonal songs (remember the time you spend practicing the songs counts as
service too), Organize a Bingo game, or Put on a talent show.
Girl Scouts Behind Bars Sign up to
make lunches for fellow Girl Scouts who have monthly meetings at the Edna Mahan
Correctional Facility with their incarcerated mothers. The lunches should be
made on the Friday before the Saturday meeting and delivered to the Service
Center the following Saturday morning. The menu is always the same: 30 or (or
less) individual lunches packed in paper bags, dry turkey and cheese sandwich
on white bread, two juice boxes, one piece of fruit, a bag of chips or two
cookies, a napkin, and one small jar of mayonnaise and yellow mustard. Contact
Jackie Porter or Marcia Cocozza at council for information or to pick a date.
They also can use program
materials such as a "craft in a bag". These can be made from extra
craft supplies from your meetings, since they're often used to occupy the girls
who finish other projects early.
Libraries Girls of all ages can volunteer at
their local library or their school library. It is a great way to get service
hours and it's fun! Libraries love to have the girls volunteer too! My school
library especially needed us at the end of the year when they needed to check
their inventory and track down lost or miss-shelved books.
Printmaking Council of New Jersey The
Printmaking Council of New Jersey is looking for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts
to help with their programs. They need people on the weekends and during the
summer. They hold printmaking classes for Girl Scouts and other groups. They
are located on 440 River Road in Somerville. If you are interested in
volunteering please contact Stephanie at (908) 725-2110
First Aid Squad I have heard of other girls
from other SUs help clean the First Aid rigs. Contact your local first aid
squad (or maybe fire company?) to see if they could use the girl's help
Bonnie Brae Bonnie Brae is a school and home
for troubled adolescent boys aged 11-18 located in Liberty Corner. They like to
receive holiday baskets filled with goodies. They are located at 3415 Valley
Rd. PO Box 825, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938. Their phone number is (908) 647-0800.
Mr. Fixit This is a program that has
volunteers come to senior citizens to help with small in home repairs and yard
work. They can use older girls to help with various household tasks such as
gardening or leaf raking. Contact Ann L. at 788-1358 if you are interested.
Care Wear Sew Baby Items for Hospitals.
Troop 374 earned bronze award by making hug-a-bears for local hospitals. There
are many different things that girls can make for newborn infants at hospitals.
There is more information, patterns, and a list of local hospitals and their
needs at http://www.hood.edu/carewear/index.shtml
Women’s Resource Center They are
looking for holiday treats - little baskets of Halloween candy and donations of
costumes (call for ages of children), Thanksgiving cards and candy baskets etc.
They love to receive gift certificates to Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Shop Rite, Rite
Aid, telephone cards, movie tickets. They also need new underwear, new and
like-new sweat pants and sweatshirts, kid's sweat socks, towels, toothpaste,
tooth brushes, deodorant and laundry detergent. You can also volunteer to help
clean/organize a section of a shelter (like their toy room).
There
are 3 facilitates where 15 women and their children are housed for up to 60
days. Their transition program can house 8-10 families for up to 18 months.
To learn more contact Ann
Smith, community education coordinator at 359-0003. Donations can be delivered
to the Residential Program at 427 Homestead Rd, Hillsborough, NJ Attn: Gliceria
Project Linus Project Linus is an organization
that collects blankies and other handmade baby things for infants and ill
children. They are located in NJ and need quilts and stuff donated. You can
also donate craft supplies. Go to http://www.blankiedepo.org for more
information and patterns. I read about how they have a program where they come
to your meeting and help you make a 45 minute quilt-mural to hang in hospitals.
Materials and instructions are provided including a 15 min. presentation on the
benefits and personal satisfaction acquired through youth volunteering.
TLC Angels This is an organization for
creating handmade items for preemies, infants and children in need. Visit
www.tlcforangels.com for more info. They choose 4 hospitals each year to
receive their donations. One of the recent hospitals was St. Joseph's Hospital
in Patterson NJ. They have lots of suggestions for crafts including projects
for children (see http://tlcforangels.tripod.com/kids.html).
One of the "kids" projects is a get-well card that can be printed
from the Internet and then decorated. Once you have completed a project, there
is a certificate to print out making the girls "TLC Cherubs". For the
less "crafty" troops they suggest an "Angel Cache" which is
a box filled with stuff for the mom and baby - see http://tlcforangels.tripod.com/TLCbox.htm
Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center S.H.H.R.C
is a center for mentally and/or physically handicapped people. S.H.H.R.C.
provides therapy in the form of horseback riding. This is a great way for older
girls (14 or older) to get service. You can volunteer to do one or more days a
week for two to three hours. No horse experience is needed. There is a
mandatory training session where you will learn how to tack up horses, assist
the riders, and what to in case of an emergency. They also have annual events
such as a horse show and a Ride-a-thon that could use volunteers. Younger girls
might be interested in stuffing envelopes for their fund raising events. They
also have a summer camp called Camp Cold Brook where older girls can volunteer
for a week at a time. I noticed that one Girl Scout troop helped them run a
plant sale last spring. S.H.H.R.C is located in Oldwick on Rt. 517. Their
office number is 439-9636.
4.
National/International Projects
The National Institute of Health This is a
residence inn for chronically and seriously ill children who need to travel for
treatment and testing that they cannot receive close to their homes. The
residence inn has the capacity for 60 children. It is designed to eliminate the
cost of hotel bills for the children's families. The residence inn has 60
mailboxes, which are filled each day with a small surprise. They would like
donations of 60 small homemade items to place in the mailboxes. These items are
very much like SWAPS. If you are interested please deliver the items to Anne
Erchick (732) 302-0079 she is a Brownie leader of troop 1167 in SU 10.
The Valerie Fund The Valerie Fund provides
state of the art centers for children who have cancer or other blood disorders.
They would like you to collect small toys and such for the children such as
bubbles, small toy cars, paddleballs, small stationary supplies, nail polish,
cute hair accessories, cute hats, disposable cameras etc. You could also put
together tote bags to keep the newly diagnosed children and their siblings
entertained during their first hospital stay. These should contain items such
as coloring books, crayons, small toy cars, small stuffed animals, craft sets,
small dolls, small puzzles, activity books, hand puppets and other things they
can keep busy with. You can visit their web page for more information
http://www.thevaleriefund.org/ or call 1-800-8valeri.
“Sight Night”/Eyeglasses There is a
campaign called "Sight Night" where children ask for old eyeglasses
and sunglasses when they are out trick-or-treating. The glasses will go to
countries that cannot afford eyeglasses like Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand,
and Morocco. You can bring the glasses to a Lens Crafters store or to a Lion's
Club location. I know there is a Lions Club box in the Chester Public Library
lobby for collecting them. If you are interested in participating in
"Sight Night" then you can call 1-877-605-4242 or visit http://www.sightnight.org.
This activity doesn't need to be restricted to just Halloween. Eyeglasses can
be collected any time of the year.
Pedals For Progress This is a
program that collects used bicycles and delivers them to third world countries.
They are located in High Bridge and their number is (908) 638-4181. Visit their
web page at http://www.p4p.org/
American Red Cross Friendship Boxes This is for
the Hunterdon Red Cross 52 E. Main St., Flemington, NJ. Friendship boxes are
8"x3"x2" and get filled with health, educational and
recreational items for children here and abroad. The boxes are available
through the Red Cross. All items included in the boxes must be new. Try to fill
each box completely so it doesn't crush in shipment. You decide what should go
in each box, but suggestions for the boxes are:
Educational:
pencils, erasers, crayons or colored pencils, small rulers, small pads of paper
or notebooks, stickers, pencil sharpeners, pens
Personal/Recreations:
Yo-yos, balls jacks, small dolls, marbles, beads, harmonicas, whistles, kazoos,
small puzzles, jump ropes, small toy cars, hair clips/ribbons
Health:
Wrapped toothbrushes, toothpaste, wrapped hand soap, small pocket combs,
adhesive bandages, wash cloths, pocket size tissues
Craft Items: Cards, finger
puppets, small beanbags, bookmarks, postcards or photos of US, postage stamp
Baby Quilts You can make ABC quilts for
at-risk-babies. Contact ABC quilts at info@abcquilts.com and check out their
web page at http://www.abcquilts.com.
Ronald McDonald House Your troop
can collect the tabs off beverage cans for The Ronald McDonald House of
Southern New Jersey. Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for
families whose children are suffering from serious illness or injury. They
collect the tabs because they made of pure aluminum and they get between 35 and
50 cents per pound. You can drop it off at the House if you collect fifty
pounds. Their phone # is (609) 966-HOME (4663). If you don't collect fifty
pounds, then give them to someone else who is collecting them. I know they
collect tabs at OTS and if you give them to a Tewksbury parent or student and
I'm sure they will be more then happy to deliver them to school. I recently
learned that you can also deliver them to the Coca-Cola Barrel at the Clinton
McDonald's.
Mt. Carmel Group Home For Girls This is a
group home for girls of Native American Heritage who have been battered,
neglected, or abused. They are collecting any items that a teenage girl would
need. NO OLD CLOTHING. New items only. You can mail the items to:
Mt. Carmel Group Home for
Girls
300 Mt Carmel Avenue
Gallup, NM 87301
Canceled Stamp Collection Cut out
cancel stamps from letters received and mail to V.A.N.J.H.C.S, Voluntary
Services, 151 Knollcroft, Lyons, N.J. 07939, Tel # (908) 647-0180
5.
Projects Within Girl Scouts
Service Unit Leader Meetings If there
are older troops who would like to baby-sit at the SU leader's meeting they can
sign up at the September meeting. We are offering baby-sitting in order to get better
leader attendance and to help make the room quieter. We also need people to
supply the refreshments for the leader's meetings. You can sign up to host a
month at the first meeting or at the August packet pickup.
Girl Sports Run a GirlSports event for girls 5
to 8 years old. This is a great activity for service time, leadership hours and
could be a bronze, silver or gold award project. A GirlSport event uses a
variety of games and activities to promote fair play, cooperation, skill
progression, health and fitness. It can be one session or a series of sessions
spread out over a number of weeks. Contact our SU GirlSports coordinator
Marianne Farrell for more info.
First Saturdays Third year Juniors, Cadettes
and Seniors are needed to organize and LEAD Daisies and 1st grade Brownies in a
simple craft and/or other Girl Scout activities that will last for two hours.
The program is held at council. Dates: 11/6/04; 12/4/04; 2/5/05; 3/5/05;
4/2/05. Contact Marcia at council 725-1226. Her e-mail is
mcocozza@girlscouts-rh.org.
Daisy Discovery Day This is a
program at Dewitt for Daisies. Girls are needed to run a table as a troop or
smaller group that teaches the Daisies a craft that would take 10 or 15
minutes. Because this is for Daisies there so you may need to do a lot of
cutting in preparation for the day. A troop could even run it as there silver
award where each girl runs a craft station or an individual could run it as
there gold award. Contact council for more information.
Help Out at Skills Day or Camporee
6.
Animal Related Projects
Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center S.H.H.R.C
is a center for mentally and/or physically handicapped people. S.H.H.R.C.
provides therapy in the form of horseback riding. This is a great way for older
girls (14 or older) to get service. You can volunteer to do one or more days a
week for two to three hours. No horse experience is needed. There is a
mandatory training session where you will learn how to tack up horses, assist
the riders, and what to in case of an emergency. They also have annual events
such as a horse show and a Ride-a-thon that could use volunteers. Younger girls
might be interested in stuffing envelopes for their fund raising events. They
also have a summer camp called Camp Cold Brook where older girls can volunteer
for a week at a time. I noticed that one Girl Scout troop helped them run a
plant sale last spring. S.H.H.R.C is located in Oldwick on Rt. 517. Their
office number is 439-9636.
Seeing Eye Dogs The Dog Guide School is
looking for puppy lovers to raise Seeing Eye dogs. The school raises dogs to be
Seeing Eye dogs for the blind. The puppy-raisers would be responsible for
teaching the puppy basic obedience, exposing it to different situations, and
giving it lots of love. The puppy would be with the puppy-raiser for an
18-month period before it begins its seeing-eye-dog training. The school will
pay for all veterinary bills and provide a monthly allowance. For more
information call 973-539-4425. Although this is not a project for an entire
troop, it might make a terrific project for a Silver or Gold Award.
Animal Shelters Noah's Ark is animal welfare
association located in Ledgewood. They are looking for donations of Clorox
bleach, paper towels, antibacterial dish liquid, dish washer soap, laundry soap,
canned dog food, canned cat food (no fish or "bite size"), and dry
cat food (preferred brand: Purina). You can contact them at: (973) 374-5469.
Kitty Bandannas Take a regular bandanna,
fold it in half on the diagonal and cut. Turn the edge under twice and
whipstitch the entire length. Use stick-on velcro (that way if the animal is
wearing the bandanna and gets caught on something, the Velcro will pull off so
the animal doesn't get hurt. Deliver them to the Somerset Regional Animal
Shelter (908) 725-0308. They will give the girls a tour of the shelter.
7.
Meeting
Quickies
Meals on Wheels Bags These are a
great thing to do if you have a little extra time during a meeting or just need
something easy to do. You can pick up the paper bags from the leader meetings
or you can pick them up at my house. Just get in touch with me if you need
them. Only one side of the bag should be colored - no glitter or glue please.
The colored ones can be left with the Meals on Wheels coolers at in the foyer
outside Happy Face Nursery School (Middle Valley Presbyterian Church - entrance
on Sliker Road in Califon). Please do not leave them at service unit meetings.
It is your responsibility to drop them off. Meals on Wheels go to shut-ins who
would also appreciate other craft items. Consider making napkin rings, holiday
cards, place mats, or Christmas Tree Ornaments.
Color a Smile Younger
girls can color bright and cheerful drawings for this organization that
distributes 2000+ drawings every month to their clients (color one side of the
paper only, do not write get well wishes, do not use paint, glue, or glitter,
and sign the front of the drawing with your first name and age.) Mail to
Color-A-Smile, PO Box 1516. Morristown, NJ 07962. If you have any questions you
can call them at (973) 540-9222 or visit their web page at http://www.colorasmile.org.
Once again do not leave these at service unit meetings. It is your
responsibility to send them in.