December 23, 1998
Brownie troop gives joyously
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Members of Brownie Troop 69 didn't have a Christmas party this year. No cookies, no presents and no stockings for these girls. But there were not tears and no long faces at last Thursday's troop meeting at the Interlochen Community School.
Instead the girls were cheerful and smiling as they spent the meeting making Christmas happen for someone else. That's because this year the 12 members of the troop decided to use their leftover money from last year's Girl Scout cookie sale to adopt a needy area family and help them with Christmas.
"I presented the idea to them and they liked it," said Tamara Hoppe of Green Lake Township, one of the troop's leaders. "Usually they do a field trip or a party with this money, but they are at that age where they can learn to give back, to help others. They learned about money and about doing some good for other people."
Troop leaders contacted the Salvation Army and were given a family to adopt for their project, a single mom with two daughters, six and ten years old. The Salvation Army also provided a sheet listing needs, sizes, likes and color preferences for each family member.
With a budget of $150, the girls then split up into three groups, one for each of the family members. After looking over what 'their' family member needed and making a shopping list, they headed to Wal-Mart for their troop meeting two weeks ago. Each group was armed with $50 and, as they strolled through the store, they had to decide together how to spend the money and track what they spent.
The girls were pleased to be able to buy both practical items, such as pants, shirts and gloves plus the impractical like toys, art supplies, jewelry and Barbie accessories.
"I liked helping people," said Amanda Hoppe, 9, who, with her group, was buying presents for the six year old girl. "I enjoyed the shopping and planning the best."
The girls also spent six weeks gathering food donations, which included cookies, a turkey, pies and canned goods, all the fixings for a complete Christmas dinner. Area churches and businesses donated additional bags of groceries, Christmas stockings and candy, mittens and socks. Each girl brought a personal care item such as soap, toothpaste or shampoo for the family to include with the gifts.
"I liked doing this instead of a party," said Carolyn McKeller, 8, who was a member of the group buying gifts for the mother.
Last Thursday troop members wrapped the gifts, complete with bows, and made Christmas cards for their 'adopted' family. They placed all the gifts, stockings, food and cards into a decorated box for the family, which will be delivered before Christmas.
"We're real lucky here, these are good girls," said Liz McKeller of Green Lake Township, whose daughter, Carolyn, is a member of the troop. "Each girl helped out, they did a great job."