Shilvi Shah and Alison Aimers are earning their Junior Leadership Award by organizing collection drives for books and toys for the Trenton Soup Kitchen. Although TASK serves 3,”000 meals a week to the needy, director Peter Wise asked for help in collecting books for adults because “books are the food for the mind.”
Shilvi collected books in her neighborhood, her cousin’s neighborhood, and at Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health and Wellness in Hamilton. More than 800 books were received, sorted, and donated.
“I’d like to thank my mom, Shefali Shah, and my cousin Rajvi, who helped me collect books in her neighborhood,” she says. “I really want to thank the staff and members of the Robert Wood Johnson Center for collecting more than 400 books and that really made our book drive a success.”
Alison collected small toys in her neighborhood and the West Windsor Library. She washed and organized the more than 600 toys that she donated to TASK.
“I’d like to thank the West Windsor Library for letting us put a collection box there,” she says. “We got a lot of donations at the library.”
Community services, which play a large role in Girl Scouting, help girls learn leadership skills through projects. “It’s nice to live in a community which is so generous with those who are less fortunate,” says Alison’s mother, Debbie Aimers. “I think it’s great for kids to do community service at such an early age. Hopefully, they will continue this throughout their life.”
Junior Girl Scout Troop 1480 has been caring for 42 trees this summer. The tree seedlings, donated by the New Jersey Tree Foundation, were planted by troop members along the Millstone River Greenway off Grovers Mill Road last October. At the time, the troop gave a two-year commitment to maintain the trees by watering, weeding, mulching, and pruning. Plainsboro Township approved the site for planting and maintaining the field to give the troop easier access to the trees.
The 12 troop members are rising fifth grade students at Millstone River School. Troop members involved in the project include Aimee Gawroniak, Rachel Costantino, Halley Costantino, and Riddhima Kapoor. Troop leaders include Jan Costantino and Cherianne Bender.
“An integral part of scouting is to give back to our community,” said Costantino, troop leader. “We have enjoyed working to help beautify our township while learning about the important role trees play in our environment.”
For information about Girl Scouting in West Windsor and Plainsboro call Pat Helck at 609-897-0529 or E-mail girlscoutswwp@verizon.net.
