New City Troop Earns Bronze Award for Sandy Aid

Junior Girl Scout Troop 40828, a group of fifth graders from Little Tor Elementary School in New City, were all set to work with Hi-Tor Animal Care as their community service project, but dropped their plans when Hurricane Sandy hit.

The girls heard about the devastation that affected them in New City, but even worse up and down the Jersey Shore. The troop quickly decided that they wanted to help victims of the storm.

"After Hurricane Sandy hit, our girls really wanted to do something to help the victims regardless of the Bronze Award," said Troop Leader Maria Botto. "Since we were in the beginning stages, we decided to reprioritize and began to start looking elsewhere. With the help of Mrs. Barbara Wilen, she was able to put us in touch with another school that desperately needed help. The girls were so eager to begin and felt a real sense of accomplishment in the end." 

They started an email campaign to friends and family asking for items to donate and got tons of clothing they spent hours sorting by size. After learning that Red Bank Primary School in New Jersey need help after the Red Bank River banks overflowed in the storm surge—the girls started a book drive to help the school replace their library and media room that was destroyed by the storm.

The troop made posters and placed boxes around school and in local areas; shared the information and desire to help with their fellow Clarkstown students; and again emailed friends and family. 

The fifth graders collected thousands of books.

Troop leaders Botto and Danielle Troia, along with Barbara Wilen drove the girls to the New Jersey on a half-day of school where the town was still recovering from the storm. The books were unloaded and each of the troops members wrote a letter to the Red Bank students on why they wanted to help them.

"With thousands of books donated, we drove to Red Bank Primary School and it was there that they were able to experience firsthand the impact and devastation that this hurricane had on the school," said Botto. "They met some of the children and facility members and made cards for each class."

The girls were honored with a Bronze Award, the highest national award that a Girl Scout Junior can earn, for their 20 hour of community service in helping the storm victims. 

"The thought of helping out other children from another school was far more fulfilling to them than any award can bring," said Botto. "They did a fantastic job and should be proud of all of their accomplishments."

Little Tor Elementary Junior Girl Scout Troop 40828 consists of: 

• Laura Botto
• Alexandra Gamez
• Sophia George
• GraceAnne Pawelczyk
• Camilla Santana
• Kayley Sassano
• Mikayla Strammiello
• Sydney Sullivan
• Grace Tarduogno
• Jackie Troia
• Mia Vincini
• Samantha Waletzky
• Julia Wilen
• Olivia Woods