'I Love My Community': LI Girl Scout Gives Back After Tragic House Fire

SAYVILLE, NY — A community that cares for each other was celebrated this week when a dedicated Girl Scout unveiled her Gold Project at a Long Island assisted living community.

The Bristal at Sayville hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to debut benches and an accessible vegetable garden created by Girl Scout and Sayville High School senior, Lauren Smalley.

Smalley, a 13-year Girl Scout veteran, made the wooden benches to enhance seniors' lives as part of her Gold Project, the highest achievement in scouting that aims to "make the world a better place."

"I created vegetable gardens and they're wheelchair accessible, so the seniors in wheelchairs can plant," Lauren said. "I also created benches for them so they can have more outdoor seating."

Lauren, who's been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, said she decided on the project after learning from Bristal administration that residents would like to have more outdoor seating.

So, Lauren decided, benches were the answer.

"I also wanted to do something with the seniors and help the community," Lauren added.

Lauren not only took on the gardening and carpentry projects while preparing to graduate and attend college, but she also dedicated her time to the community as her family faced a difficult time.

In December, Lauren's family lost their West Sayville home in a devastating fire that destroyed all of their possessions and displaced them.

But the Smalleys rebuilt their lives with the help of their community, and Lauren persevered towards graduation, attending St. John Fisher University in Rochester in the fall and still managing to help others.

But Lauren's love for her community motivated her to keep going through the hard times.

"I guess I still just wanted to do it because I love my community," she said. "It gave back to me after what happened, and I wanted to give back to them."