FishHawk Scouts Collect Games, DVDs for A Kid's Place

They may have been surrounded by hundreds of board games, puzzles and card games. But it wasn't all fun and games for members of Girl Scout Troop 721 of FishHawk Ranch.

The Scouts had gathered to sort and box the games as well as DVDs and CDs they have collected since mid-April to donate to A Kid's Place in Brandon, a shelter for abused and neglected children.

The project is part of their attempt to earn their Bronze Award, the highest honor a junior Scout can earn. The award is designed to help Girl Scouts learn leadership skills as they take on and complete a community service project.

After taking a tour of A Kid's Place in February, the seven Girl Scouts, all fifth-graders at Bevis Elementary School, decided they wanted to do something to brighten the lives of the children staying at the shelter.

"We originally thought about collecting books," said Scout Megan Goldberg. "But they already had a lot of books there."

When the Scouts asked the facility director what the children needed, she replied board games, DVDs and CDs.

"The director pointed out that these kids don't have music to listen to or DVDs to watch like other kids," said Scout Ainsley Basham.

So the girls, who have been in Scouts together since kindergarten, circulated fliers throughout their neighborhoods asking for donations. They also put a collection box at the Theatre of Dance Arts in Park Square where several of the girls dance.

"We also collected games at the FishHawk Community Yard Sale," said Scout Alexi DeBoer.

Before long, the donations began to pour in.

"Some people gave us entire boxes of games and DVDs," said Scout Elizabeth Pelk.

It was a lot of work sorting the items, making sure the games were complete and that the DVDs were suitable for young children, said Scout Chelsea Perry.

"But it was fun to help," she said. "The kids at A Kid's Place seemed really happy. But they didn't have a lot of games."

"We didn't really have a goal," said Scout Abbie Whitehurst. "We just wanted to collect as many as we could, enough to fill up a good-sized cart. We owe the community a big thanks for being so generous."

"It really makes you feel good, knowing you're bringing smiles to these kids," said Scout Kelley Sinning.

The Scouts will continue collecting games through May 15. They also are collecting donations to purchase a mobile cart to hold the games, DVDs and CDs.

To donate, email the troop at troop721@hotmail.com.