By Carol McGowan
There’s a new Girl Scout Troop in Summit, and they have been busy.
Troop 56615 is made up of girls from Summit School District 104 from first-grade to third-grade, and between 7-9 years old, making them Brownies in the scouting world.
They have 10 girls so far, and Troop Leader Marisol Rodriguez says they have big plans this summer.
“We spoke with the Summit Park District and they’re going to let up paint the flower beds down there. We’re so exciting to get this project off and running. Vinnie at the park said we can paint as many as we would like to.”
Rodriguez is referring to sectioned off flower beds at the park. The troop will be sprucing them up with paint, and they have a vision of planting pretty flowers and some vegetables in hopes of helping the community by delivering them to the food pantry at St. Blase for everyone to enjoy.
“We may also have School District 104’s summer school participating as well. We were actually hoping to even get a third generation to come out and help us plant as well as the young kids/high schoolers. If anyone is looking for volunteer hours for the school, we would love to have them help. The park has cleaned up the weed and kept them up, and we would love to come in and take advantage of using them.”
With this vision in mind, the scouts are looking for any type of donations they can get.
“We would love anything to get us started and help us along. Old or new gardening tools, soil, dirt, flowers, seeds, whatever anyone has in their heart to contribute, our girls would greatly appreciate it.”
Rodriguez says the troop may look into volunteering at the food pantry this summer. So far, they have gotten visits from the Summit Police and Fire Departments who have talked to the girls about safety. They held cookie sales outside of My Twist Boba Tea and Yogurt on 63rd Street in town and said they did pretty well, being that it was their first time doing it.
They participated in the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s parade, and have even gotten their baking badge by making bread which Rodriguez said was super yummy.
“We will be visiting the fire station to get our badge for that was well. We attended a Summit Park District board meeting which is where we asked for permission to plant and fix up the flower beds. We attended a Summit Chamber of Commerce board meeting so the girls could get a feel of being in a business meeting. We decided to be part of the chamber. Once that goes through, we are looking to do donation drives to benefit the community.”
There are big dreams and lots of dedication to this new troop. They are eager to jump in and gets projects moving.
If you have any gardening supplies of any kind, they would appreciate it so they can get off and running on this now that the weather is warm.
“Folks can get ahold of me, Marisol Rodriguez, at xavier99mari@gmail.com or call or text 773-701-2383. They can also call or text Kristina Mercado at 708-552- 6552 or mer.k@yahoo.com