Anne Lindsey Otenasek Youth Service Award
(l-r) Marianna Jackson, Catholic Charities Executive Director Hal Smith, Katherine Cole, Alexa Geller, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Katie Dreyer, MaryGrace Callas, Rebecca Hampson, Rachel Cavanaugh, and Alanna Morici pause for a photo after Girl Scout Troop 1195 received the Anne Lindsay Otenasek Youth Service Award.
Every year at An Evening With Catholic Charities, we honor a few extraordinary individuals who represent the best in our staff and volunteers. They personify our mission to cherish the Divine within those who need us and we are proud to count them among the Catholic Charities family. On Tuesday, March 4, we honored the Senior Girl Scout Troop #1195
The eight members of Senior Girl Scout Troop #1195 are making a sizable impact at St. Vincent's Center. For the past two years, these young women have continued a tradition that began with another troop. They create a Christmas gift shop at the residential facility for children with emotional and behavioral disabilities due to abuse and or neglect.
Throughout the year, troop members Mary Grace Callas, Rachel Cavanaugh, Katherine Cole, Katie Dreyer, Alexa Geller, Rebecca Hampson, Marianna Jackson and Theresa Morici canvass the community to collect assorted donated new items for men, women, children and infants. Weeks before Christmas, the troop transforms the gymnasium into the Holiday Boutique where hundreds of gift items are displayed. Decorations, home-baked cookies, holiday music and a tree create a festive ambiance. Accompanied by Scouts dressed as elves, children are helped to select just the right present for three family members or friends. Providing assistance with wrapping and tagging the presents completes the activity.
This wonderful opportunity for the children to experience the joy of giving is made possible without cost.
While the troop will host one more Boutique this year before passing the baton to another troop, the memory of what they have done for the children of St. Vincent's will be a gift that keeps on giving.
