In the winter months, Girl Scouts are most often seen out and about selling their famous cookies. But on Saturday, February 28, over 200 Girl Scouts had another mission on their minds— making a difference during a day of service at the Operation Smile headquarters in Virginia Beach. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast teamed up with Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity, to give girls an opportunity to learn about healthcare around the world and discover how they can make a global impact from right here in Hampton Roads.
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Over 200 Girl Scouts learned about the medical missions
led by volunteer teams through Operation Smile |
When they arrived at Operation Smile, Girl Scouts were first led on a tour of the facility, which included seeing the business offices, the warehouse of medical supplies used on medical missions, and displays of stories and photographs that tell the mission of Operation Smile. The Girl Scouts then gathered in the theater, where they heard a firsthand account about a medical mission from a student at First Colonial High School who has been involved with Operation Smile as a volunteer from a very young age. She talked about her experience as an Operation Smile volunteer in An Giang, Vietnam and encouraged Girl Scouts to find their passion in the community and get involved.
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Girl Scout Daisies created get well soon cards for children
who will be receiving surgery from Operation Smile |
Girl Scouts then divided into groups, where they made get well cards and banners that will be delivered to recovering patients around the world. Girl Scouts also dropped off donations of items for Smile Bags, which are given to each child after surgery and include personal hygiene items, as well as fun goodies, such as coloring books, crayons and stuffed animals.
Community service has been a cornerstone of Girl Scouting since the organization was founded over 100 years ago. This Operation Smile Day of Service is just one of the ways that Girl Scouts are making a positive impact on their community, and the world. This April, Girl Scouts throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina will be taking part in the annual Helping Hands Food Drive to help fill the shelves at food banks and pantries across the region.
View more photos from the day
here.
girl scouts of the colonial coast
