With temperatures in South Jersey dropping below freezing this winter, 13 Tatem Elementary School first-grade girls from Girl Scout Troop 30038 joined together to spread warmth in more ways than one.
With temperatures in South Jersey dropping below freezing this winter, 13 Tatem Elementary School first-grade girls from Girl Scout Troop 30038 joined together to spread warmth in more ways than one.
Focusing on keeping those in need bundled up, the troop began decorating a collection box to put at the Haddonfield library for donated items such as hats, scarfs, socks and gloves for those in need.
Troop Leader Maudi Silver-Mallemat formed Girl Scout Troop 30038 a year ago to give her 6-year-old daughter, Marlowe, an organization where she could build friendships and help the community. Although all of the members of the troop attend Tatem, Silver-Mallemat encourages first-grade girls from other schools to attend.
The idea of a donation drive originated in December when Silver-Mallemat took the girls to the library for a lesson on being “considerate and caring’’ to others. That day, Silver-Mallemat discovered a new way the girls could utilize these lessons in real life scenarios with the help of the library.
“It’s important for the girls to identify and learn to solve problems in their lives,’’ Silver-Mallemat said. “This is something where they can actually see the impact they are making.’’
When Silver-Mallemat introduced the charitable idea to the troop, the girls were not only receptive but excited. They decorated a box with colorful pictures attached in hopes it would attract residents to donate.
“I like helping people who come to the library to stay warm if they need new things,’’ Marlowe said.
With the PATCO station in close proximity to the library, people from surrounding communities tend to stop in to get out of the harsh weather, which highlights the importance of having a donation box available inside the library, according to Children’s Librarian Jordan Bilodeau.
A steady stream of donations has come in since the donation boxes have been set up, and around 50 items have been given away so far, the items taken on an as needed basis. The library is hoping to continue to receive items for the drive throughout the winter.
“It was such a great service project for the kids in town to help people in need,” Bilodeau said.
Rallying together, the library, members of the community and the troop have not only spread awareness but proved that even the smallest members of the community are making some of the biggest differences.
‘’No matter what age or resources they have access to, they can make changes in their community,’’ Silver-Mallemat said.
Bilodeau and the library staff encourage residents to check their winter wardrobes for items they no longer wear and drop them off in their donation box inside the library. Although coats are accepted, the library has limited space and encourages people to donate smaller winter items.
Enthusiastic and excited to be participating in the drive, Bilodeau hopes more organizations like this one will reach out and utilize the library as a resource for charitable drives.
The library will be accepting donations throughout the winter. Anyone interesting in donating hats, scarves, mittens and socks can visit the Haddonfield Public Library at 60 N. Haddon Ave.
