Schools

Girl Scouts Raise Funds for Trip to Scotland

The Girl Scouts from Riverview and Spoto high schools have scheduled several fundraisers this month for their upcoming trip.

Six teens in Girl Scout Troop 707 have been busy saving their pennies and hosting fundraisers in the hopes of touring Scotland this summer.

To further their fundraising efforts, the teens who attend Riverview and Spoto high schools will be wrapping holiday gifts at Books A Million at Westfield Brandon mall and referring family and friends to Menchie's in Winthrop Town Center where a portion of sales go to the troop.

"Four years ago the girls took a trip to Asheville, N.C.," said troop co-leader Stephanie Wilson. "They were responsible for planning the entire itinerary and raising the necessary funds. For some girls it was their first time out of Florida, the first time seeing a mountain or a waterfall, and the first time white water rafting."

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Wilson said the trip left such an impression on the girls that they decided on the way home that they wanted their next trip to be to Europe.

They ultimately chose Scotland because it is one of the least expensive English-speaking countries.

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The girls have spent the past three years hosting craft fairs, yard sales, collecting aluminum cans, gift wrapping each Christmas, selling Girl Scout cookies and hosting a virtual bake sale, using Facebook to take orders for fresh-baked holiday items.

"The girls are nearly there but have a number of fundraisers left before we can make it official," said Wilson.

Upcoming fundraisers include:

Friday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 6 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- Menchie’s (Winthrop Town Centre) Simply mention “Girl Scouts” when you pay for your order and a portion of your order will be donated to the troop.

Saturday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. -- Books A Million (Westfield Brandon) The girls will be wrapping gifts for tips.


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