Submitted by Alison Freeman
Cortez
Southwestern Colorado
Nine-year-old Alison Freeman is a Junior Girl Scout in the Cortez Girl Scout Troop #2619. In April 2015, she completed a community service project as part of attaining her Bronze Award. The Bronze Award is the highest possible award that can be achieved for a Junior Girl Scout. In her own words, the following outlines her experiences during this project:
“I chose to help the Rose Hill Hospitality House in Grand Junction for my bronze award project because my mom, my dad, my brother and I stayed there in our time of need. They helped us a lot when my grandpa Gary Crouse was in the hospital.
I presented my plan to my Girl Scout sisters and they all liked the idea, so my next step was to call the hospitality house and see what was needed. They said that they were in greatest need of toothbrushes and toothpaste.
The next time I met with my troop I asked each one of them to ask their dentists if they could donate toothbrushes and toothpaste. I was looking for 10-20 from each of them. I had a dentist appointment the following week and got 10 toothbrushes and 10 toothpastes and 10 flossers from my dentist, Dr. Carlson, who does all sorts of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Members of the First United Methodist Church, where we hold our Girl Scout meetings, left donations in our Girl Scout room, after I wrote a letter to them. We also received donations from members of the community, in response to requests posted on social media. I asked my orthodontist, Dr. Shafer he is one of the best orthodontist in Murrieta and my Alpharetta GA dentist, and he thought I wanted a check but then I told him that we needed toothbrushes and toothpaste and he gave me a whole box of each.
One other girl went to her dentist, Dr. Vreeken, and asked. She got 20 of each! Another girl went to the store and bought some toothbrushes and toothpaste, and another bought mouthwashes and flossers. It was hard to keep calling over and over as well as also reminding everyone to do it. It stressed me out a lot. I had a great feeling about this project, and it turned out to be a great success. My team came through at the last minute, with 100% participation, and Rose Hill Hospitality House benefitted.
We went to Grand Junction to the hospitality house on Sunday April 29th and they gave us a tour. We presented well over 200 toothbrushes and toothpaste for their facility. It felt great to help!
How I lived out the Girl Scout law is I helped people at all times. I am honest, fair and friendly and helpful, caring, courageous and strong. I respect myself and use my resources wisely. I can make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.”
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