Bristow Girl Scouts Service Unit 90-07 performs "31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness" for their community.This holiday season, Bristow Girl Scout Service Unit 90-07 is getting into the ‘giving spirit’ by giving kindness to the community with their “31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness” for the month of December.
Each day of the month, one of the 47 troops is responsible for performing a “Random Act of Kindness” within the Bristow community.
“One of our Service Unit Managers/Troop Leaders, Jessica Pagonis, proposed the idea to have our 47 troops each pick a day in December that they would have the girls a random act of kindness. I think RAKs are popular this time of year and we are on a mission in 2014-15 to rebuild the relationship with Girl Scouts and our community,” Service Unit Leader Kristin Davis said.
From school workers to trash collectors, these Girl Scout are sending holiday warmth and appreciation to a variety of community members.
“My ninth grade Senior Girl Scout Troop had Dec. 1, and the girls decided to make a lasagna dinner for the Nokesville Firefighters,” Davis said, “Since then, we have had younger troops make cards for trash collectors and gift bags for cafeteria and office staff at different schools. My seventh grade Cadette Troop made dozens of cookies at one of our meetings and took them up to the Prince William Police Department.”
Some troops even left money to treat strangers at various local restaurants.
“Our Junior Troop (fifth graders) baked cookies and made thank you cards to leave out for the trash collectors. We also left $2-$3 at four local businesses with note cards saying, 'Treat yourself to something yummy on us. From: Girl Scout Troop 6312 and Service Unit 90-07,'” Service Unit Leader Jessica Pagonis said.
RAKs have helped the Girl Scouts gain a new perspective on what it means to perform community service and appreciate some of the little details of life.
“I love that this is giving the girls the opportunity to recognize and, if even for just a moment, to reflect on those that provide [us] with services that often go unnoticed or unappreciated. For example, while my girls were making their cards, they were talking about how the trash were always out there, no matter if it was cold, raining, hot or a holiday and that their families have left stuff for their mail person in the past, but not the trash,” Pagonis said.
Troop members prepare gifts for community members.Girl Scout Service Unit 90-07 seeks to brighten someone else’s day, even if they cannot see the impact their acts have.
“The great thing about it is the randomness. Depending on what the girls choose to do, they may or may not see the outcome of their kindness, but they know they made a difference. They did it without expecting anything in return and that feels good,” Pagonis said.
Being both a parent and Girl Scout Leader, Davis is proud of how the girls are reaching out to community members.
“I love how the girls are embracing the idea of doing kind deeds for others and thinking about who might need a kind word or a small token to be reminded that they are cared about,” Davis said.
Through this project, the Girl Scouts have been able to learn about what community service really means and how simple acts can go a long way and can inspire others to share kindness.
“I am so excited that our Service Unit committed to do this. It is a huge part of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and helping the girls see that 'community service' doesn’t have to be a huge project, but that a Random Act of Kindness can help lead to more. It’s contagious,” Davis said.
Although the month of December is almost over and the new year is fast approaching, the Girl Scouts have enjoyed the project and hope to continue it into the new year.
“The girls want to sign up for additional days and want to keep it going,” Davis said, “They have talked about how it is so important to do RAKs all year long. That part warmed my heart.”
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