Franklin Lakes Girl Scouts Win Tree Decorating Contest

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ - A local Girl Scout troop was in charge of decorating ornaments for the borough's Christmas tree at Bergen County's Winter Wonderland in Van Saun Park.

Troop No. 97047 won a contest sponsored by the Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce to help make the borough's designated tree festive for the holiday season.

At Van Saun Park, each town has a tree and most decorate them to help show others what their communities are all about.

See More: Winter Wonderland Returns To Van Saun Park

The troop got involved because they enjoy the holidays and wanted to show-off their Christmas spirit and their crafting talent.

The ornaments were decorated to symbolize nature in the area. Yellow bulbs represented people and animals. Green bulbs represented the trees and the parks. The blue ornaments represented lakes and other nearby bodies of water. The troop also decorated wooden finch ornaments by writing Franklin Lakes on them.

“It brought us together as a group. We’re closer now because of this Girl Scout Troop,” said Valentina, 13, a scout in Troop 97947.

“We were trying to show the different things people might think of when they think of Franklin Lakes,” said Hailey, 13, another scout in Troop 97947.

“Our goal is to make our community better one day at a time and what better way than inspiring the girl scouts to get involved,” said Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce President John C. Morley. “When I could see the gleam in their eyes of passion for working on a project that was close to their heart, it made my day as chamber president.”

“The girls were really proud to be able to represent their town and Bergen County. They love living here,” said Troop Leader Michelle Heinsohn.