Girl Scouts Give To Humane Society

Nineteen Girl Scouts from Junior Troop 12771 of Plymouth, made their second field trip to the Golden Valley Animal Humane Society to donate hundreds of pounds of needed pet supplies and handmade pet blankets May 8.

These fifth grade Junior Scouts have earned the coveted Bronze Award, the highest award that can be achieved as a Junior.

It all started two years ago, when Troop 12771 Brownies
literally and figuratively crossed the bridge into Juniors,
earning their Brownie Wings and Junior Bridging Patch,
they embarked on a mission to answer the call to help
the unwanted pets in their community.

Following a girl led activity, the vote of the then 25 Juniors was to earn their Bronze Award and begin making pet
blankets and  pet toys and gathering supplies listed on the
Humane Society’s Wish List.

Building girls of courage, confidence,and character, Troop
12771 leaders Audrey Fresh, Val Hagan and Teri Reutiman, helped guide the girls through various requirements.

Their Girl Scout Journey Take Action Project included a school and church-wide recycling effort, helping to spread
awareness on different ways to take care of our environment.

Girls then earned their Pet Care Junior Badge at their first field trip to the Humane Society.

"This two-year Bronze Award experience has taught the girls how to work as a team, manage a budget, hone their leadership skills, and manage time. It has brought a sense of community to the girls that they can always be proud of," said Audrey Fresh.

In fact, several Plymouth and Wayzata merchants have warmly embraced Troop 12771 in their efforts. Over the past month, donation boxes and posters were placed in stores.

Audrey described her girls donning a green Junior Vest brimming with two achievement badges, and girls bravely asking store management and their customers for pet supply donations.

The following Plymouth merchants understood their role in helping the fifth grade girls reach their goal: It’s a Pet’s Life, Cub Foods, Rockford Road Animal Hospital, Heritage Animal Hospital, Plymouth Covenant Church, and the Woodcrest Neighborhood. Also, Lulu and Luigi of Wayzata.

Through the proceeds of cookie sales and other fundraisers, Troop 12771 Juniors purchased $300 of
fleece and hand tied 75 fringed pet blankets for their
Bronze Award Service Project. They also sewed 30 colorful plush pet toys that were stuffed with poly-filled and jingle
bells.

Finally, they learned just how many pet supplies were generously donated: 75 handmade fleece pet blankets 30
handmade pet toys 155 pounds of dog, cat, and small critter food 50 pounds of cleaning supplies 10 dog leashes
and collars.

The very gracious employees at Golden Valley Animal Humane Society shared their heartfelt appreciation with the following words: "Thank you for donating the supplies you
collected from the community. Knowing that young people care so much about our animals makes this contribution to
our Wish List extra special! We will use the items you donated to help care for the animals until they find their forever homes. Thank you so much! Signed, All of us at
the Animal Humane Society."

These are words worth a thousand woofs, meows, chirps, squeaks, neighs, oinks, and even hisses.