By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
In July, Girl Scouts Harper Cap, Johannah Cap, Cameron Dixon, Silvia Echeverry and McKenzie Parsons, members of Cadette Troop 1414, celebrated the achievement of the Silver Award, given by the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. The Silver Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn and involves completing a significant community service project that demonstrates leadership skills and a commitment to making a difference.
Troop 1414 members chose to install a kindness rock garden for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville and their visiting families. Troop members passionately worked hard all academic year fundraising, planning, developing and implementing their project.
The purpose of the garden is to provide a sense of peace, belonging and motivation while going through medical treatments for their critical illness. Those who see the rock garden are encouraged to add a kindness rock or take one if they need it.
The previous year, this troop earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can obtain. Their first project was starting a children’s library for the Ronald McDonald residents, which has already grown since its installment. The library books included handwritten inspirational messages by troop members inside the front covers.
“Now that Girl Scout members have completed both the Bronze and Silver Awards, they have more time this year to focus on participating in various community service projects,” said Cadette Troop 1414 Leader Cristina Echeverry. “This is a huge accomplishment as they achieved both awards consecutively and are just entering seventh grade.”
Photos courtesy Cristina Echeverry
Troop 1414 members with their Silver Award project, a kindness rock garden at Ronald McDonald House.
