“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers."
-- Juliette Gordon Low
Along with emphasizing the growth and development of girls through scouting, Juliette Gordon Low encouraged girls to go out into their communities and help others whenever they could. In fact, our own Girl Scout law tells girls to "make the world a better place."
On February 21st, 2015, girls and leaders from the three service units joined face to face to explore the volunteer and community service opportunities in our area. In doing so, girls were able to learn about what they can do to "create peace" and "make the world a better place." Each troop was asked to represent a local community service organization (or a national organization with a local chapter). Some troops were able to secure guest speakers from their organizations, and each station visited provided the girls with information on their mission as well as ways that they could get involved.
In the spirit of sharing, and reaching any girl that was unable to attend, we have created a Virtual Thinking Day experience. Below you will see listed the troop sponsor, the organization website, a video (if available) and some information on how you can get involved. Feel free to take this blog and use it for a troop meeting if you were unable to attend a Thinking Day event.
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Troop 5275: Hanover Safe Place: www.hanoversafeplace.com/
Hanover Safe Place (HSP) is a non-profit organization providing confidential services to persons experience domestic or sexual violence in Hanover County, VA and the Town of Ashland since the early 1990s. Included in these services are a free and confidential 24-hour crisis hot line, emergency shelter, support groups and case management.
Our Mission: to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, provide services for victims, and create community awareness around these issues.
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Troop 5290: WHEAT : http://wheathelp.org/
WHEAT - Western Hanover Emergency Action Team - was formed in the early 80′s by a group of people from some of the churches in the Beaverdam area. We have approximately 15 churches with several members from each to keep our organization going strong with God’s help. WHEAT serves approximately 200+ families each year through the Food Pantry, Wood Ministry, & other missions.
Mission: WHEAT assists neighbors in need in Western Hanover County by providing emotional, spiritual and physical support so that God’s children can thrive, succeed and love others.
Vision: Helping neighbors in Western Hanover County that are in crisis by providing emergency assistance.
Troop 5271: Camp Comfort Zone: http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/
About Comfort Zone Camp: Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement camp that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. The free camps include confidence building programs and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone Camps are offered to children 7-17, and are held year-round across the Country. We have offices in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Our Mission: Comfort Zone provides grieving children with a voice, a place and a community in which to heal, grow and lead more fulfilling lives.
Our Vision: Comfort Zone envisions a world where grieving children are not forgotten or left to grieve alone, and are supported by a wide community that understands and appreciates them.
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Troop 5284: Richmond Hope Therapy: http://richmond.bonsecours.com/find-a-physician-bon-secours-medical-group-richmond-hope-therapy-center.html
Richmond Hope Therapy Center provides innovative and traditional physical therapy options for children and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and other disorders or conditions. With a focus on intensive physical therapy, we address a wide variety of specific needs with a combination of tools and motivate patients to achieve their goals. RHTC is also responsible for the highly popular "iCan Bike" program.
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Advancing Native Missions is a US-based agency called to seek out, evaluate, and equip indigenous mission groups throughout the world in order to hasten global evangelization. As we partner with these native missionaries through advocacy, encouragement, and support, we are helping them to serve, love, and reach people in their surrounding regions with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all for the glory of God. - See more at: http://advancingnativemissions.com/about/#sthash.dFDN4DTI.dpuf
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Troop 5269: Wings of Hope Ranch: http://www.wingsofhoperanch.com/
Through hands-on experience in a safe and peaceful environment, rescued horses and children facing conflicts or challenges come together to help each other learn to love and trust again.
Troop 5272: Mended Little Hearts: http://mendedlittlehearts.org/
Mended Little Hearts is a national organization that steps in to help the families of children in the hospital who are undergoing treatment for congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects are the number one birth defects 1 in 110 children are born with congenital heart defects. The most common treatment for CHD's is surgery and parents often have to stay in the hospital for extended periods of time and this often happens quickly and without warning. Mended little hearts will step in to help parents with the every day comforts like toiletries snacks blankets and games for siblings. They also provide the invaluable service of helping parents know that they are not alone.
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The mission of Bandit's Adoption and Rescue of K-9s (BARK) is to rescue orphaned or abandoned pets and other adoptable dogs from animal shelters in the Richmond area, provide spay/neuter and vaccinations, then find loving, forever homes for them. In 2014, BARK placed 323 dogs in forever homes.
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Troop 5299: Feed My Starving Children: http://www.fmsc.org/
Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to nearly 70 countries around the world.
Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to nearly 70 countries around the world.
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Troop 490: Hanover Interfaith Clinic: http://www.hanoverfreeclinics.com/
Hanover Interfaith Free Clinics - Hanover Interfaith Free Clinicis are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation staffed entirely by professional and administrative volunteers. The clinics provide free health care (medical, dental, vision, podiatry) to registered, uninsured, low-income residents of Hanover County who have qualified for care. Our clinics are ministry-based and are generously supported by donations and grants. The 6 clinics are located in Ashland and Mechanicsville and are opened in the evenings. Patients are seen by appointment only.
Our mission is: “To offer a faith-based healing ministry to our qualified Hanover neighbors by providing free medical and dental health care with compassion, dignity and respect."
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Troop 5276: Guiding Eyes for the Blind: https://www.guidingeyes.org/
Guiding Eyes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides superbly bred and trained guide dogs to men and women who are blind or visually impaired. Dogs not suited for guide work may become service dogs for children on the autism spectrum. All Guiding Eyes dogs expand horizons for people to achieve life’s goals.
All services are offered free of charge to people who are blind or visually impaired and to families with children with autism.
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Troop 645: Hanover Humane Society: http://www.hanoverhumanesociety.org/
The Hanover Humane Society was organized in July 1986, and with the support of the public, raised $20,000 toward the construction of the new County Pound, which opened in 1990. Hanover Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizaiton. We are NOT affiliated with Animal Control or the County Pound. Animals enter our system either as strays, owner surrenders, or from the Hanover County Pound. These animals are given medical care, spayed or neutered, then placed in a foster home, and brought to adoption stands and given visibility on our website until they find a “forever” home.
The Hanover Humane Society was organized in July 1986, and with the support of the public, raised $20,000 toward the construction of the new County Pound, which opened in 1990. Hanover Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizaiton. We are NOT affiliated with Animal Control or the County Pound. Animals enter our system either as strays, owner surrenders, or from the Hanover County Pound. These animals are given medical care, spayed or neutered, then placed in a foster home, and brought to adoption stands and given visibility on our website until they find a “forever” home.
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Questions for consideration
1. Is there an organization here that you have never heard of? What did you learn about them?
2. Which organization interested you the most?
3. Based on the information on the community partner websites and videos, how could YOU and your troop help out?
4. Would any of these organizations make a good Bronze/Silver/Gold aware project?
5. How do these organizations fulfill the "making the world a better place" portion of the Girl Scout Law?
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We hope you've learned a lot about how YOU, no matter your age or level of scouting, can make the world a better place.
For more information and activities about Thinking Day, please visit the official Girl Scout website where you can read more about this year's theme and download activity packs.
Girl Scout Thinking Day 2015
If you have used the information in this for a Thinking Day event or troop meeting and would like a patch for this activity, we have a limited number available for $2 each.
Thank you for visiting! Have an AMAZING rest of your scouting year!!
