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The 10th Grade North Salem Girl Scout Troops 2854 and 1148 hosted a holiday reception to thank the emergency volunteers in the community. About 40 members of the North Salem Ambulance Corps, Croton Falls Fire Department and North Salem Police joined the girls for dessert and coffee. The girls spent the afternoon at the Ambulance Corps baking and decorating in preparation for the festivities.
This was the second year the girls has participated in this event.
"Every girl has a responsibility for this event," Co-Troop Leader Joanna Pastore said. "The girls wanted to thank them for what they do for the community."
Pastore said the girl scouts are always looking for ways to give back to the community and undertake various service projects. Thanking first responders seemed like a natural fit.
"These are people volunteering to give their time and they want to take the time to recognize them," Pastore said. "The first responders really enjoy the appreciation they get from making people's lives better. They are happy to be recognized. It's a fun event for everybody."
Recognizing the first responders is one of the many things the North Salem Girl Scouts do in the community.
Two girls received their silver award last year. Charlotte Coughlin put together a booklet for novice troop leaders, offering suggestions for projects, crafts, outdoor adventures and community service activities. She also led a group of volunteers to clean up the nature trail behind the North Salem Library.
Anastasia Pennacchio mentored a workshop at Mountain Lakes Camp, teaching campers to make sun catchers to hang in windows and reflect light. Anastasia brought the sun catchers to the residents of both the Somers Manor Nursing Home and the Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne. Pennacchio went room to room placing the sun catchers in the windows of the patients rooms to help brighten their days.
The girl scouts have also assisted My Sister's Place in White Plains, Dorothy Day house in Danbury and the Grace Street Food Pantry in White Plains.
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