Community Corner

Local Girl Scouts Hold Winter Drive

Efforts benefit H.O.P.E. for All.

Members of local Girl Scout Junior Troop #2283 care about others, especially during this very cold winter.

“We all think that everyone just deserves to stay warm,” said Rebecca Sank of the Troop.

So, from now through Feb. 25, the group is soliciting new and gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and blankets. 

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The girls have decorated signs and brought bins not only to their elementary schools (the troop has members from both Broadneck and Cape St. Claire), but have also sought and received permission to collect the gear at:

  • the Riverbay Roadhouse Restaurant in the Cape St. Claire center;
  • the Bay Hills Super Fresh;
  • the Arnold Safeway; and
  • the Severna Park Giant.

The collections will be sent to H.O.P.E. for All (www.hopeforall.us), a Christian ministry to assist those without sufficient resources to provide for their own basic needs in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City and the Appalachian region.

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The charity was founded by county school teachers Leo Zerhusen and his wife Diane in 2004. Together, Leo and Diane, with more than 44 years of combined classroom experience in Anne Arundel County, have seen how children with unmet needs (including inadequate clothing, lack of food, or no school supplies) experience embarrassment and hopelessness.

The Broadneck Troop has already helped this organization sort donated clothes and returned them to H.O.P.E. for distribution. It was through that activity that they heard about the huge need for children’s coats in the area. 

The girls first decided to start a coat drive at Broadneck Elementary on Feb. 1 by placing a box at the school for students to bring items to donate.  They then decided to expand the drop off sites to allow the whole community to participate.

“We thought it was important to get involved,” said Sara McCoy, Troop member. “They need our help. What if everyone didn’t care?”

For questions, contact Lora McCoy, GS Troop #2283 Leader, at lmccoy123@verizon.net or 410-349-4547.


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