Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Girl Scouts write letters to Keystone Villa residents
Daniel Boone Girl Scouts have been writing letters to residents at Keystone Villa Douglassville since the residents cannot have visitors during the coronavirus outbreak.
“We were looking for ways that the girls could continue participating in Girl Scouts while Gov. Wolf placed a stay-at-home order,” said Cory Derer, service unit manager of Daniel Boone Girl Scouts. “This was an excellent opportunity for our girls to serve the community from the safety of their homes. Daniel Boone Girl Scouts operate on the school’s schedule, so with school being closed for the rest of the school year, all Girl Scout actives unfortunately were canceled as well. Seeing the sisterhood of how these girls came together in a time of need is what Girl Scouts is all about.”
Wendy Yambor, Girl Scout Leader Troop 11022 of the Daniel Boone Service Unit, put this activity together for all of the Girl Scouts in the Service Unit. So far there are seven troops in grades kindergarten through high school participating in this project.
“I saw other posts on Facebook encouraging people to send pictures to nursing homes and thought this was a perfect project for our Girl Scouts,” said Yambor. “Keystone Villa is always so kind to the Girl Scouts, allowing us to have meetings in their activities room and supporting us. They were a natural organization to reach out to. It’s my hope that the girls felt they were empowered to make a difference during this pandemic.” Yambor added, “We have an amazing service unit with some really special girls. I knew they would rise to the challenge and help others in any way they could.”
Incredibly proud of the girls in the service unit, Yambor said, “They didn’t just sit back and be victims in the current world situation. They took action and helped make the day a little better for others in their community.”
Yambor noted that the Girl Scout motto is “Be prepared.” In the 1947 Girl Scout Handbook, the motto was explained as, “A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency.”
“I think our girls nailed it!” she said.
Kathy Undercuffler at Keystome Villa said the residents are really enjoying the pictures and cards.
They hope to schedule a visit at Keystone Villa once the stay-at-home order is lifted.