Girl Scout Troop creates care kits for Red Cross
Girl Scouts from Troop 3385 created care kits for children that were donated to the Kalispell Red Cross. (Courtesy photo)
A group of Girl Scouts from Troop 3385 worked to earn their Bronze Award by creating specialized care kits for children affected by disasters in the Flathead Valley.
The project aims to supplement the American Red Cross's existing assistance programs. The Girl Scouts recently delivered 30 care kits to the Kalispell Red Cross office, where they will be distributed to children in need during times of crisis.
The initiative began when the Girl Scouts recognized a gap in disaster relief efforts. While the Red Cross provides immediate assistance to families experiencing house fires or evacuations, there was a lack of resources specifically tailored for children in these situations.
"I wanted to help people, especially kids who maybe lost everything in a house fire or had to spend time in a shelter,” said Violet Greenfield, one of the Girl Scouts. “I wanted them to know that they were being cared for."
To better understand the needs of the community, the girls met with Louise Atkinson, Red Cross Disaster Action Team Coordinator for Flathead Valley. This meeting inspired them to brainstorm ideas that would be most helpful for affected children and families. The result of their efforts is a collection of 30 backpacks filled with age-appropriate toys, books, and comfort items.
"These girls did a fantastic, amazing, impressive, and wonderful job,” Atkinson said. “I just want to cry because I know how it will affect the kids and families. You know how good it will make [our clients] feel knowing that other people in the community besides just the Red Cross is helping them out? I'll probably get a lot of tears from the families that receive these. Especially the parents."
The care kits are designed to complement the assistance already provided by the Red Cross.
"I thought of a stereotypical kid, and what kinds of things I liked as a kid and tried to fill the bags with things that they would like,” said Brena Pastian, another Girl Scout involved in the project.
Girl Scout Bella Brewer said the goal was to be thoughtful about giving people personal stuff they care about.
"And how I would want someone to do the same for me,” Brewer said. “I thought of things that would make me feel better, loved or cared for."