Sunday, September 07, 2008   Search
   

   
 

 Service Projects

 

Addison's Bookworm Bash

Conduct a used book drive. Collect and donate books of all kinds (children's, fiction, non-fiction). Donated books will be sold at one of the three Bookworm Bashes. Proceeds will go to benefit Senior Adult Services, a non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and caregivers facing the challenges of aging in Carrollton, Addison, Farmers Branch, and Coppell.

For more information, or for assistance in planning your drive, contact Frankie Wilford at 972-242-4464 or email: Frankie.Wilford@SeniorAdultServices.org

The Bookworm Bash will be held at the Addison Pavilion, 4970 Addison Circle Drive in early November.

Adopt-a-Nursing Home

Long Term Service Project: The Adopt-a-Nursing Home program promotes coordinated Girl Scout volunteer involvement with Texas long term care facilities to strengthen and enhance the quality of their residents lives. As part of the program, the troop and the facility adopted agree to participate in the program for one year, with a minimum of four visits and may renew this agreement in one year increments. It is encouraged for troops to continue serving the same facility each year but this is not required. To participate in this program, complete the form below. Adopt-a-Nursing Home Agreement

Patch Program: The Girl Scouts of Tejas Council, in partnership with other councils across Texas and the Texas Department of Disability Services, offer a Patch Program for troops. For more information, see TIPS or download the form below.

SuggestionsIf you just want to do a one time visit or decided to adopt a nursing home, listed below are just some of the ideas that have been successful. To discover what the needs are of the facility your troop will visit, be sure to check with the Activities Director for current needs.

1. Spend time one-on-one with residents
2. Help decorate for holidays & special occasions
3. Deliver hugs and smiles
4. Assist or lead Texercise classes
5. Lead a sing-along
6. Perform skits
7. Play board games
8. Put puzzles together
9. Decorate resident's doors
10. Send hand-made birthday cards
11. Plant flowers or butterfly gardens outside resident's windows
12. Help serve meals
13. Start a quilting or knitting group
14. Record resident's histories with audio or written formats
15. Hold hands
16. Have a dance
17. Throw birthday parties
18. Stage a fashion show then and now
19. Read to residents
20. Help write letters to family members
21. Let the residents teach you a craft or song
22. Christmas Caroling in the hallways or lobby
23. Make Welcome gifts for new residents
24. Celebrate Arbor Day by hosting a tree planting ceremony
25. Design and decorate a bulletin board at the nursing home (maybe a Girl Scout board with pictures of the girls)
26. Hold hands!
27. Find out which female residents (and staff) were Girl Scouts and write down their experiences. Share stories through a resident's newsletter or facility bulletin board.
28. Make bone-shaped pillows to help support necks, backs or knees.
29. Host an old-fashioned ice cream sundae (be sure to offer sugar free treats)
30. Make or decorate picture frames for residents to display favorite pictures
31. Take along a camera for great shots of girls with residents present them as gifts in picture frames made by the girls
32. Plan and perform a puppet play for the residents
33. Hold a bridging ceremony at the nursing home
34. Make door wreaths for residents doors at Christmas
35. Make lap blankets
36. Have a manicure day with the girls painting the nails of the residents
37. Read aloud stories or poems
38. Create or maintain resident's libraries
39. Sew buttons on clothes missing buttons
40. Call bingo games
41. Read the Bible out loud
42. Have a wheel chair wash
43. Assist residents to dance, even those in wheelchairs
44. Be a hugger!

Birthday Box

We would like our troops and service units to adopt this project on an annual basis. Birthday boxes can be built and delivered to various agencies through out the year. Agencies could be for youth or elderly, the choice is yours. Listed below is the recipe for a birthday box.
Birthday Box Recipe
1 cake mix (any flavor) 1 frosting mix (can or box, any flavor)
1 package birthday candles
1 supply of partyware (plates, cups, forks, napkins)
1 festive set of party decorations (streamers, balloons, party hats)
1 birthday gift (child or elderly person, either gender)
1 birthday card
1 fun activity to help celebrate (games, music, crafts)

One of the activities for the Girl Scout Birthday week will be to build and distribute birthday boxes in your community.

CISV - Children's International Summer Villages Local and International Opportunities

Children’s International Summer Villages was founded on the premise that children can learn not just tolerance,but love and affection for people very ifferent from themselves and that effects how they behave throughout their whole lives. The experience of Village, with forty-eight eleven year-olds, or that of Seminar, the program for 17 and 18 year-olds, all thrown together for a month building friendships and finding commonalties, makes them acutely aware of their own culture and its imperfections. It builds relationships and demands of them tolerance. It forces them to examine, on the spot and in retrospect, their values and the reasons for them. It builds a community that is global in scope. For more information, please plan to attend our Fall General Meeting on November 4, 2007. Our Junior Branch will host a "mini-camp" overnight on November 10-11, 2007, and again on April 12-13, 2008. For more information on travel and local events, contact Machteld Van Hoek or 817-729-9455.

The Family Place Dallas

The The Family Place needs volunteers throughout the year and at the holidays. Your troop may choose to organize or participate in a Winter Holiday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Halloween or Thanksgiving event, or create your own. We are delighted to host Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects and would be delighted to discuss your ideas with you. In addition, we welcome donation drives of items for each of these holidays and have an ongoing need for all things baby related, for new and used household items, gift certificates and toys.

For further information, call Karen DeGraffenreid, Volunteer and In Kind Donations Coordinator, at 214-443-7714 MWF or 214-236-9130 Tues/Thurs, or email kadegraffenreid@familyplace.org.

Fight for Life Seminars Self-Defense Organization

Our mission is to empower women, senior citizens, teens and children with the physical and intellectual tools needed to avoid, fight back, escape and survive a violent attack. Volunteers are needed to assist at our seminars and workshops performing various tasks from administrative, photography and videography, to assisting with training participants in simple self-defense techniques. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to train in self-defense techniques as well. See the general program information section of CONNECTIONS for dates and times of seminars. Contact Jama Johnson about being a volunteer. Wear long comfortable pants;no shorts or tanks, please.

Good Turn Project - Goodwill

 

 

 

Good Turn Project is a collaborative service opportunity in association between Goodwill Industries of Dallas, Inc. and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas to help people with disabilities or other barriers to employment. Girl Scouts will collect thousands of pounds of usable clothes and household items which Goodwill can sell in its stores. The money from these sales will fund job training programs for people in the community.

Between October 1 and 31, 2008, Girl Scout Troops/Groups will collect gently used personal and household items and drop bags at one of 21 local Attended Donation Centers (for a list of centers, click here). Each girl who collects a minimum of two bags (7-10 gallon size, 2ft x 2ft) will receive a patch, while patch supply is available. Patches will not be available after October 31. The troop with the greatest number of bags per girl will receive a pizza party. Mail original Goodwill receipts with the Good Turn Project Report Form to the following address:

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
6001 Summerside Drive
Dallas, TX 75252

Habitat for Humanity South Collin County

Live Green - Volunteer Opportunities in Plano

Museum Buddy - Northeast Texas Children's Museum

Operation Happy Sock

Operation Happy Sock creates and delivers catnip toys to homeless cats in animal shelters and foster homes. Volunteers of all ages make simple toys, called Happy Socks, by stuffing catnip and polyester fiberfill in the toe of a sock and tying a knot at the ankle. Simple, but a GREAT catnip toy! Happy Sock catnip toys are more than mere playthings, however. For stressed-out cats stuck in strange surroundings, a whiff of catnip can be very therapeutic, and a big, fluffy Happy Sock is the feline equivalent of a cuddly teddy bear.

Ready to start Operation Happy Sock with your Girl Scout Troop? Then please contact Martha Powers at happysock@cox.net or 703/383-9003 and ask for your Operation Happy Sock Info Kit. You ll receive a Word document that includes ready-to-use signs for collecting sock donations (featuring Hugger the Happy Sock mascot), suggestions for finding affordable supplies locally, and step-by-step instructions for each phase of the project.

One Warm Coat

A One Warm Coat collection is an easy and convenient way to help people in need in your community. Our goal is to provide any person in need with a warm coat, free of charge. We want to help you or your troop create a successful and fun event. Your troop selects the dates of your coat collection and the agency to receive the coats (the coats must be given for FREE). Then, tell One Warm Coat about your collection plans by completing and sharing the Share Your Plans form. Upon completion of the project and paperwork, One Warm Coat will send you a Certificate of Appreciation. For more information or to register, visit onewarmcoat.org.

Oprah's Big Give: Operation North Texas

 

Bennigan’s has teamed up with Oprah’s Big Give and the North Texas Food Bank’s "Food 4 Kids" program. We’re donating jars of peanut butter and need your help! For every jar of peanut butter you bring in between

March 24th & April 20th

you will receive a FREE order of Mozzarella Cheese Sticks or Chips & Salsa!

 

 

Thanks for helping us Give Big!

 

 

  • Each jar must be 18 oz. or smaller
  • Plastic Jar only
  • No refrigeration required

    • Presidential Service Awards

    The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and President George W. Bush share a mutual goal to pass the tradition of volunteerism and community service on to the next generation of young Americans. All types of service that strengthen community qualify for this award. Service must be done within a 12 month period. Awards must be requested by council. Recipients of this recognition receive a pin and a certificate. For more information and to download a nomination form, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov. Submit completed nomination, timelog of service hours and fees to Carmen Pesina, 6001 Summerside Dr., Dallas, TX 75252. Allow 10-12 weeks for receipt of awards.

    Race for the Cure FOR RUNNERS or WALKERS - Susan G. Komen

    Greater Texas Community Partners - Rainbow Rooms of Texas

    Greater Texas Community Partners
    Rainbow Rooms of Texas
    www.gtcp.org
    214-824-4928

    Greater Texas Community Partners is an umbrella organization for volunteer groups throughout the state helping abused and neglected children. The major program designed to help these children is the Rainbow Room, which is an emergency resource center stocked with all NEW items, such as clothing, shoes, toiletries, baby formula and school supplies. These items are readily accessible to Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers when they remove children from their homes or when a family is in crisis.

    The Rainbow Room is supported totally by private donations and volunteers, and there are Rainbow Rooms located in every large city and many small communities in Texas. Opportunities abound for Girl Scout projects to support these rooms. Please contact the Rainbow
    Room in your area to determine their specific needs, and what projects are available:

    Anderson County Rainbow Room (Palestine)
    Contact: Sara Minton, 903-729-7505
    Ellis County Rainbow Room (serving Waxahachie, Ennis, Midlothian, Red Oak, and Palmer)
    Contact: Vera Kamerbeek, 469-233-4601
    Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center (Plano)Rainbow Room
    2205 Los Rios Blvd.
    Plano Texas 75074
    Contact: Janet Davis, 972-618-4042
    There are several ways that troops may help assist children:
    1) Donation of NEW clothing such as blue jeans, shorts and shirts, shoes, health and beauty products, toys and baby goods.
    2) Provide Juice Boxes and Snacks that are individually packaged (please no peanut products)
    3) The Rainbow Room would love to collaborate with Scouts working on Bronze, Silver and Gold Award Projects.
    Tours of the CCCAC and Rainbow Room are available once a month throughout the school year on designated Saturdays between the hours of 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. For dates and more information contact Janet Davis at 972 -618-4042
    Gregg County Rainbow Room (Longview)
    Contact: Nancy Eldridge, 903-233-5228
    Henderson Co. Rainbow Room (Athens)
    Contact: Vicki Beeler or Nelda Tillison, 903-677-5022 x 222
    Hunt County Rainbow Room (Greenville)
    Contact: Patricia Ratliff
    Kaufman County Rainbow Room (Kaufman)
    Contact: Gail Marven
    Navarro County Rainbow Room (Corsicana)
    Contact: Tracy Watson, 903-874-3021
    Rockwall Rainbow Room (Rockwall)
    Contact: Susan Laszynski, 972-771-5135
    Rusk County Rainbow Room (Henderson)
    One Step at a Time
    Contact:Julianna Brightwell , 903-657-6539
    Smith County Rainbow Room (Tyler)
    Contact:Sarah Jolley , 903-533-1880
    Van Zandt County ABC Room (Canton)
    Contact: Karen Forester, 903-873-5487

    REI National Trails Day Service Project

    This is an opportunity for girls to volunteer at a local outdoor site (location TBD) for National Trails Day 2008, which will be either May 31 or June 7. Call Mike Williams at REI for more information: 972-490-5989.

    Sam Rayburn House Museum

     

    Sam Rayburn House Museum

    890 W. State Hwy 56, Bonham, TX
    ROSEWOOD CENTER, 5938 Skillman
    214/978-0110

    Volunteering at the Sam Rayburn House Museum is available for the following:- Helping with scheduled group tours- Outdoor activities such as general gardening and vegetable gardening- Helping during celebrations and educational events throughout the year that could include such activities as assisting tour guides, setting up tables and chairs and decorating, greeting visitors, serving light refreshments- Preparing invitations and newsletters for mailing For more information about volunteering, please call 903-583-5558. Girls will receive training as needed. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

    Soldiers' Angels

    Soldiers Angels has been supporting our nation's military men and women since 2003. Their mission is to provide aid and comfort to the military and its families, provide immediate response to hard situations, and make sure no soldier feels unloved. They start with letters, care packages, and comfort items to our deployed. They also help families here at home as requested.

    Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting our troops they hope to make a difference in the lives of our soldiers. Go online to find out how you can get involved!

    Shoes for Orphan Souls - Buckner International

    Since 1999, Buckner has sponsored Shoes for Orphan Souls. We have collected more than 1.5 million pairs of shoes from individuals and distributed them to needy children throughout the world. We have sent new shoes to orphan children in more than 50 countries. We are in constant need of volunteers at the warehouse where the shoes are received. We need volunteers to help us process and pack the shoes to ensure quick delivery to the orphans in need around the world. Packing the shoes includes: removing shoes from boxes, fastening matched pairs of shoes with a plastic tie, counting the shoes, and marking each box with your count as the shoes are placed for delivery. The warehouse is open year-round, Monday through Saturday, with shifts available from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. To sign up, contact Eushunda Kennedy at 214-367-8080 ext. 1009. Snacks are provided.

    "Showmakers" Dallas Children's Theater

    EL CENTRO THEATER, Main and Market Street ROSEWOOD CENTER,
    5938 Skillman
    214/978-0110

    DCT is looking for enthusiastic, energetic volunteers to serve as Showmakers . Responsibilities: Assist the house manager, serve as greeters, distribute programs, assist with tickets, help with concessions, and clean up after the show. Benefits: Enjoy the performance, meet the cast, learn about theater production.

    Requirements: Girls must be ages 10 or older. Reservations must be made ahead of time. Check in with the house manager 1 hour prior to the performance. Remain 20 minutes after to complete tasks. Total time 2 to 3 hours. Wear Girl Scout uniform or nice clothes with Girl Scout pin.

    When: September 2007 - July 2008
    Fri. 6:30 - 9:30, Sat. 12:30 - 3:30
    Sun. 12:30 - 3:30, 3:30 - 6:30
    Minimum: Rosewood theater - 2, El Centro theater - 3
    Maximum: Rosewood theater - 8; El Centro 6
    Extra Girl Scouts or adults can purchase tickets for a reduced rate of $11 per ticket.
    Leaders! Please notify the Children's Theater if your troop cannot honor the commitment to serve as showmakers - and please be on time. To register, call Matt Lyle, Volunteer Coordinator, at (214)978-0110

    Special Olympics

    "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." (Special Olympics Oath)

    Special Olympics is a non-profit program of year-round sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. Special Olympics holds competitions at the local, state, national and world levels with the help of thousands of volunteers. The Special Olympians train in all types of sports. Competitions feature all the pageantry of the Olympic movement -- torch runs, opening ceremonies, and awards.

    Special Olympics helps people with mental retardation become physically fit and grow mentally, socially, and spiritually. It also believes that consistent training is required to develop sports skills.

    Girl Scouts can become involved in a number of ways -- as volunteer coaches, trainers, or athletes. They can also hand out awards, run concession stands, and serve as official cheerleaders. A list of program locations and contacts for each state can be found on the Special Olympics Web Site: www.specialolympics.org.

    Texas Central Hemophilia Association

    Texas Central Hemophilia Association

    3530 Forest Lane, Suite 311
    Dallas, TX
    214-351-4595
    www.texcen.org

    The Texas Central Hemophilia Association is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting opportunities to improve the quality of life for all affected by Hemophilia and related bleeding disorders, so that each can fulfill his or her individual potential. The Association is committed to provide and support programs of research, patient, public, and professional education and patient, family and community services.

    Volunteers needed to help with yearly golf tournament, summer camp, annual meeting, or educational events. Opportunities to make gift baskets for newly diagnosed families are also available. In addition, the assocaition provides gift baskets for the holidays for families in need. Contact the organization at 214-351-4595 to volunteer

    Texas History Alive - Texana Living History Association & Farmers Branch Historical Park

     

    Presented by Texana Living History Association
    214-906-5792
    & Farmers Branch Historical Park
    Farmers Branch Historical Park
    2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch
    Saturday, April 19, 2008
    Noon-5:00 pm

    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Adult and girls 4th grade and older may earn Community Service or Leadership Hours. Arrangements must be made in advance in order to volunteer. All volunteers receive free entrance and a free event patch. Volunteers may work a 3-hour shift or the entire event. To earn Community Service Hours: volunteers may choose to assist with one of several pre-planned activities which range from helping at the Girl Scout Information table to demonstrating at an 1800's camp station. Please see event listing for examples of activities at the event. All necessary training and supplies will be provided. To earn Leadership Hours: girls will plan and implement an activity station. All activities must have prior approval by Kathy Ogle, meet Safety Wise standards, be appropriate for the event and assist girls to complete badge work. Texana will provide funding for supplies.

    You may register as an individual or as a troop.

    To Volunteer contact Kathy Ogle 214-906-5792 or kathy@texanalivinghistory.org. Additional information may be found at www.farmersbranch.info/parksrec/historicalpark.html or at www.texanalivinghistory.org

    Volunteer Center of Dallas County "Who Cares? You Can!"

    "Who Cares? You Can!" is the official guide to cool volunteer opportunities for folks under 21. The book provides information about the needs of 150 different agencies in Dallas, Collin and Tarrant Counties and has sections detailing types of service needed, age groups needed, whether or not projects are suitable for groups and geographic locations of projects. Information may be accessed online in PDF format at www.volunteernorthtexas.org or www.powercrew.org

    Warm Up Indianapolis

    The Girl Scout National Meeting and Convention will be in Indianapolis October 30-November 2, 2008.

    Since 1999 there has been a program called "Warm Up (the convention city)". Girl Scouts of all ages are asked to create "blankets". The "blankets" are to be knitted or crocheted with acrylic yarn, or made of fleece so they will be hypoallergenic, wash and dry easily. The goal is for everyone to either teach or learn a new skill and share the results with those in need. The blankets will be given to agencies who will then give them to clients to keep.

    To keep it simple sizes should be 30x36 inches for small children, 36x42 inches for school age children and 48x60 inches for everyone over age 12. Colors and patterns should be age appropriate, bright and cheerful. All sizes are needed. The goal for Indianapolis is 100 blankets. Let’s all get started sharing our skills or learning a new one and having fun making blankets! Hearts as well as bodies will be kept warm with our gifts.

    For information or a commitment to the project, please contact: Beverly Crim, lifetime Girl Scout at GSC of Central New York (centered in Syracuse, NY)

     
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