Benita put on a craft workshop for children of Southwest Area Ministry. All the children made a reindeer candy cane. The younger children made blue and white wreaths by tracing their hands on paper and cutting them out. The older children made either a Rudolph pin out of puzzle pieces or a candy glass decorated with colored paper tissue.

Bhavika assisted the American Red Cross by having a group of volunteers make scarves, mittens, socks, sweaters, quilts, and cards for them to ship to American troops. She also had Nottingham Country Elementary School conduct a humanitarian aid drive for troops collecting several hundred pounds of toiletries, games, books, canned food, and other essential items.

Katherine collected baby items to make 15 newborn baskets as part of the Gabriel Project at St. Justin’s Catholic Church. “I learned from this project that it felt good to help other people and that I could carry out and stick with the commitment,” said Katherine.

LaShanda addressed many issues girls are facing today. She covered issues about fashion, health, sterotypes, and
budgeting. After skin care techniques and makeup applications the girls had a picture taken of themselves. She also had a psychologist speak to the girls on self-esteem.

Tori wanted to inform young girls about how to stay active yet still have fun. She taught 50 girls how to play crab soccer. “I chose this project, because I’ve played sports and been active all of my life and I felt I should share my
knowledge,” said Tori.

Joy had a dance clinic for Junior Girl Scouts and other girls in the community. She wanted girls to learn about different styles of dance and how to use their passion for dance to their advantage. “I really enjoyed working with the girls because they were so energetic and cooperative,” said Joy.

Chistina created two book rooms in the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. She worked with the Family Life Courts to collect about 1,300 books for the center. She then redecorated the rooms with donated furnishings and bookcases.

Andrea talked to 49 girls about eating healthy, the food pyramid, and sanitation in the kitchen. She discussed the way food goes to the digestive system, how to eat a balanced meal, and then let the girls make several foods and drinks. She also gave each of them a cookbook she had made.

Emily initiated the Guard Start Junior Lifeguard Program with the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter. This program’s goal was to educate future lifeguards and to give them the knowledge of the basic skills to help them become certified lifeguards in the years to come.

Meredith collected household items for the Serenity House. Items collected were toilet paper, paper goods, soap, shampoo, etc. She put them into 10 laundry baskets. “I chose this project because I felt a great deal of compassion for those who are just trying to get better and need help,” said Meredith.

Dana established a nursery at her church, St. Edith Stein. She coordinated the painting of biblical murals in both rooms of the new nursery. She organized family, friends, and Girl Scouts to help with all the painting and held a baby shower at the church to get needed supplies and toys for the new nursery.

Dolores helped 10 limited English speaking students to improve their language skills at Eliot Elementary School. “It is important for students who don’t speak English as a first language to be on grade level by third grade.”