girl scouts of the colonial coastGirl Scout Juniors in Troop 723 Addison, Anastasia, Callie, Carly, Marissa, and Olivia earned their Bronze Award through their bag drive project, Supporting Victims in Need, to support the Albemarle Hopeline.
The Albemarle Hopeline is a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive direct and preventive services to victims of family violence, sexual assault, and teen dating violence. They offer education, intervention, support, and transitional assistance to those that need it serving Pasquotank, Perquimans, Camden, Currituck, Chowan, and Gates counties in northeastern North Carolina.
Girl Scouts in GSCCC Troop 723 from left to right: Carly, Addison, Anastasia, Olivia, Marissa, and Callie
With the support of their Girl Scout Leader, Ashley Livermore, the girls decided they wanted to do a project to help others in the community. After researching various places, the Juniors learned about the Albemarle Hopeline and that many people, especially women, in domestic violence situations needed a way to get out of that situation as quickly as possible. Often, people escaping violent situations toss their belongings into a trash bag and leave immediately. Many of those individuals are also financially reliant on their partner and do not have enough money to make it on their own.
The Juniors wanted to help make this transition a little easier. The girls worked with staff from the Albemarle Hopeline and learned that the organization needed things like big duffle bags, luggage, suitcases, and totes. The organization could also use full-sized personal hygiene items like toothpaste, hair products, body wash, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, etc. to give to their clients. The Juniors made a plan and set it into motion.
Step one was to find a location to host the bag drive. Jamie Pittman, owner of the Moyock Farm Market, generously allowed the girls to set up a table at the market. The girls made flyers to post around town and used social media to spread awareness. The day of the drive, the girls set up a table, made signs, collected bags and chatted with patrons for several hours. The Juniors also coordinated with Sandi Ayers, owner of Fusion Office Business Center (and GSCCC Girl Scout Leader), to use her business as a secondary drop off location. During the drive the Juniors collected over 70 Bags!
The next step was to gather toiletries to fill the bags. The Juniors asked local businesses to donate supplies, and the Juniors used some of their proceeds from their Girl Scout Cookie Program to shop for additional items. They had a strict budget and did a great job as a team to fill their carts. The girls were originally going to stuff the bags with hygiene items, but after chatting with the coordinators of the Albemarle Hopeline, they learned that it would be best to not stuff the bags as everyone has varying needs.
A few weeks later, the Juniors were able to drop off the bags and hygiene items to the Albemarle Hopeline in Elizabeth City, NC. The girls learned a little more about how the Albemarle Hopeline helps the community and how their hard work would help so many.
The Juniors are looking forward to celebrating their Bronze Award accomplishment this summer with a trip to H2OBX Waterpark! They worked hard and their efforts will be helping countless people in their area. Way to go Juniors of GSCCC Troop 723!
If you or someone you know suffer from a domestic abuse situation, please contact the Albemarle Hopeline 24-hour Crisis Line: 252-338-3011 or visit their website (https://www.albemarlehopeline.org/) to Webchat or find more information.
