BERLIN — On Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, Cadette Girl Scouts Troop 736 presented cancer care kits for patients at the John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Center.
The young ladies of Cadette Girl Scouts Troop 736, in a team effort, have worked over the last six months to develop a three-fold plan to benefit those in the community who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each of these girls have in some way been affected by cancer. Some have been caregivers for loved ones, several participate in local cancer events such as Relay for Life and one has even eulogized her godmother as she had succumbed after a 14-year battle with breast cancer. In the pursuit of the Bronze Award, the highest award that may be achieved by a Junior Girl Scout, the troop began taking action in May.
The girls started by brainstorming a list of ideas of what to include in a cancer care kit. Since then, they contacted the cancer center through their friends at the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life of North Worcester and the AGH Foundation.
The girls developed a flyer to solicit donations of items to be included in each kit. Care kit items include tooth brushes, toothpaste, ginger candies, teas, puzzle books and more. Troop 736 split into teams and went on a mission to talk to business owners in the community and participate in area events to encourage community support for their project.
“The newly bridged Cadette Girl Scout Troop 736 of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay is pleased to present 75 small care kits, 15 lap blankets, and a coloring station to patients of the John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Center of Berlin,” said Bronze Project Troop Advisor Colleen Rutzler. “These young ladies will be honored as a troop at the On My Honor ceremony in January in achieving the Girl Scout Bronze Award.”