McDonald Girl Scout troop honored for service

Staff report

MCDONALD

Girl Scout Troop 80344 earlier this month received the Gold Level President’s Volunteer Service Award for outstanding community service. A ceremony took place at the village’s Woodland Park.

Troop Leader Candice Ward and Assistant Troop Leader Lori Gillespie presented the awards, which consisted of the Gold Level Service Pin, a letter signed by President Barack Obama, Official Service Recognition Certificate and a certificate stating the activities each girl participated in to earn the award.

In 2015, Troop 80344 served 2,705 hours and already is working hard toward next year’s award. Two scouts, Megan Ward and Rachel Ward, individually contributed more than 100 hours each toward the troop’s total.

Scouts contributing 51 to 99 hours were Delia Mitchell, Maley Worrell, Gabrielle Mitchell, Abigail Sampson and Rachel Mathews. Scouts contributing 25 to 50 hours were Abriella Gillespie, Nevaeha Carkido, Hannah Alcantar, Caroline Alcantar and Kayleigh Rasey. All 12 troop members attend the McDonald school system.

Troop leaders Ward, Gillespie and Patricia Vilk-Worrell all received the award. These parent members who volunteer on a regular basis and/or for special events also met the eligibility requirements for the award also were honored: Greg Ward, Shay Mitchell, Tammy Sampson, Hud Gillespie, and Christine Mathews.

The Scouts are learning the importance of selfless giving to aid others and were able to work on a range of projects from overseas with soldiers to village community projects in 2015. They also took up various product collections for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and the Animal Welfare League.