Island Brownie Troop 394 in holiday spirit

Grand Island Dispatch, December 7, 2007

Above: Mary Elisabeth Rustowicz, Emily Jelonek and Julie Major make cards to brighten the holidays for soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

During the past few weeks, in preparation for the holiday season, members of Grand Island Brownie Troop 394 have been active in three community service endeavors. The Troop donated more than $600 in gifts to aid a needy family through the Roswell Park Gift Giving Program. “Our Scouts and their families are very generous,” said Julie LoTempio, Troop co-leader.

At left, Madison VeRost, Sophia Zacher and Kristi Morell wrap gifts for a needy family at Roswell Park. The girls also made holiday cookies for members of the nation’s military serving in Iraq. “One of our Brownies is related to a serviceman, so we decided to make snowman cookies for the Navy Seabees,” LoTempio said of the girls’ project, titled, “From our Troop to yours.” She adds the girls also made cards for patients at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.“ This is a time when the girls can really feel like they’re making a contribution.”