On the surface, they might just look like your average 6 to 8-year-old girls, ranging from kindergarten through second grade, little girls who might be missing a few front teeth, but certainly not their smile.
But at a closer glance, the members of the Weehawken Brownie Troop 2933, all 12 of them, are far from your average little girls. They have a lot on their minds and a ton of generosity in their souls.
Take Kellen Dorio, who is all of 6 years old.
Last fall, when Kellen wondered how some less fortunate kids celebrated Halloween, it was her suggestion that led to the Brownie Troop collecting 30 costumes to give to the needy.
“That idea did come from a 6-year-old,” said Lisa Zentner, one of the adult leaders for Brownie Troop 2933. “It’s amazing, but then again, there’s isn’t anything that these kids can do that doesn’t amaze me.”
Last week, the 12 hard-working and dedicated girls decided to donate a portion of the money they raised with their annual cookie sales by purchasing benches for the garden that graces Weehawken’s Webster School, which most of the girls attend.
They were able to purchase three wooden and steel benches, complete with animal engravings, to donate to the garden. “I was really impressed,” Webster School Principal Tony D’Angelo said. “They’re very cute benches. This is their school, their garden, and they wanted to do something to prove it. They’re doing something for their school and for others and they really made me feel good in doing so.”
Susan Jennings, one of the other troop leaders, along with Heather Baker and Heejon Lim, was also happy with the way the benches grace the garden.
“We were looking for a way to give back to Webster School, considering that all the girls go there,” Jennings said. “Girl Scouts isn’t all about having fun. It’s about being able to give back to the community.”
The Webster School garden was the creation of teacher Lorraine Irizzary, who requested the opportunity to build flower boxes in order to allow the students learn about growing plants and flowers last year.
“We thought we could help Mrs. Irizarry get the garden going,” Jennings said. “The kids can see the plants and flowers every day. It’s their school, their garden.”
“The girls started planting flowers and bulbs in the garden,” Zentner said. “It’s taken a real effort to take the garden to the next level. As a Girl Scout leader, I want to be able to teach the girls about community, and this was a great opportunity. They were thrilled to be able to help their school. They have pride in their school and pride in being a Girl Scout.”
Jennings said that the Brownies have vowed to maintain the garden throughout the summer.
“They will water the plants and nurture them straight through the summer,” Jennings said.
And now, they’ll have a place to sit while taking a break, courtesy of their own generosity.
“It really is a cute idea,” Jennings said.
Each of the three benches purchased also has a plaque engraved, stating that the benches were courtesy of the donations of Brownie Troop 2933.
While their generosity to the Webster School garden didn’t go unnoticed, the 12 members were able to secure a little of their fund-raising efforts to do something more fun.
“They’re going to a Hillary Duff concert,” Jennings said. “They all wanted to do that as well.”