Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Girl Scout Troop 11087 is preparing foster care comfort bags as their Bronze Project. The bags will be filled with hygiene items, books, comfort items and new pajamas.
The focus of the effort is currently collecting donations of new girls’ pajamas in sizes 12 and up.
The troop consists of five fifth-graders and five fourth-graders and led by Patricia Minton, Vicki Thibeault and Chandler Friend.
“The collection is going well and the girls are happy with the results so far,” said Minton. “We began this effort in the beginning of November and have rallied support in our Girl Scout community and Shrewsbury.”
The idea for the project was initiated by one of the girls who was inspired after hearing a woman at her church speak to the congregation about becoming a foster parent.
The troop decided that they wanted their project to benefit children who are placed in foster care often for reasons such as neglect, abuse or abandonment. Their hope is that these bags deliver comfort to the children during what is a stressful time in their lives.
The goal of the troop is to donate 40 foster care bags, which will ultimately benefit girls in the Worcester area through the Worcester Department of Children and Families. They hope to complete the project before June 1.
Donation sites include the Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation Department (100 Maple St.), Sherwood Middle School (29 Sherwood Ave., Shrewsbury), and the Girl Scout Store (81 Gold Star Boulevard, Worcester).
If you are unable to donate items at any of these sites or would like to donate funds in lieu of purchasing pajamas, email the troop at [email protected].