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the Lockport Legend | April 26, 2018 | 3
Girl Scout event focuses on literacy, animals
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
When the Girl Scouts of
Troop 70645 do something,
they do it right.
The local troop of 11- and
12-year-olds came together
to work toward earning
their Bronze Service Award
Saturday, April 21, during
a special Free Family Literacy
Event at the Lockport
American Legion Pavilion.
Rather than choosing one
important cause to dedicate
their time and resources
to, Girl Scout Troop 70645
organized a joint donation
drive and fundraiser
with their partners NAWS
Humane Society, Merciful
Minis Therapy Ponies and
White Oak Library District.
On top of all that, the
Scout-led event was fun for
the whole family as games,
crafts, activities and visits
from animals entertained
children of all ages.
“This is the girls’ first
time putting together an
event like this,” said Bonnie
Covelli, Lockport resident
and the troop’s co-leader.
“The girls brainstormed the
idea and started putting together
all the pieces of the
event. Each of the girls designed
their own station and
the games have to do with
literacy and the crafts are
all animal-themed. The kids
will be making scarfs for
NAWS kittens by putting
stamps on them, and they
can also make a bookmark
designed by the Scouts.”
Along with planning all
the fun and games, Girl
Scout Troop 70645 conducted
research in advance
to determine the literacy
rates of area schools. They
will once again put on their
statistics hats following the
event to budget the best way
Lockport Girl Scout Faith Osborne pets NAWS dog Susie Q.
to spend the money raised
from the raffles.
“After the raffle is done,
the girls will contact the
different schools’ librarians
and get a wishlist
of the books they want,”
Troop 70645 co-leader Kate
Krumdick said. “Our hope
is to have the Scouts sit
down and budget to divide
the money to support the
school districts.”
As soon as the doors to
the Free Family Literacy
Event opened at 1 p.m.,
local families arrived to
partake in all the fun. Kindergarten
through secondgrade
students enjoyed the
literacy games and animal
crafts, while moms and dads
took time out to participate
in the raffles. Everyone appreciated
spending quality
time with adoptable pets
from NAWS and a pair of
ponies from Merciful Minis,
while Jane Gardner from
White Oak Library District
Lockport Branch delighted
attendees by reading aloud
a selection of popular children’s
books.
One of the many highlights
of the event combined
animals and literacy
in a creative way as Troop
70645 members and Homer
Glen residents Emilie
Knaack and Natalie Krumdick
brought the “Elephant
and Piggie” books to life
with interactive plays.
“We thought that the kids
might want a break from all
the activities so we thought
it would be a good idea to
Girl Scout members (left to right) Julie Perretta, Payton Clark and Addison Galloy set up a
word game Saturday, April 21, during the Free Family Event hosted at the American Legion
in Lockport. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
have them watch a play,”
Knaack said. “And we
thought it would be kind of
cool to wear the costumes
and act so the kids can see
the ‘Elephant and Piggie’
books in person.”
Literacy and animals
may have been the official
themes of the event, but
friendship also took center
stage as the Scouts worked
together to create a fun afternoon
for the community.
“I would recommend Girl
Scouts to anyone because
it’s about meeting new
friends,” Natalie Krumdick
said. “It’s a really fun experience,
with camping and
hiking, but the best part is
meeting new friends.”
Good Hands ®
Within
arm’s reach.
Claudia Gamache, CPCU
815-834-2700
16614 W. 159th St., #320
Lockport
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