The Girls Scouts of Troop 4-1230 in Port Matilda had a remarkably productive year in 2011. Six girls who devoted a significant number of hours to community service will be honored with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award at a ceremony that will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Grays United Methodist Church, 5687 Buffalo Run Road, Port Matilda.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award, which is administered by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, recognizes individuals, families and groups that have achieved a certain standard — measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime, according to www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
All of the 12 Girl Scouts in Troop 4-1230 are in fourth grade, troop leader Tara Mondock said; and they all attend Gray’s Woods Elementary School, except for one, who attends Park Forest Elementary School. Three of the candidates — Maya Mondock, Marissa Mondock and Melody Sharp — earned gold level status, as a result of completing 100 hours of service over the course of a year. The other three awardees — McKenzie Shannon, Eireini Parides and Annabelle Johns — completed 50 hours of service and qualified for bronze level. All of the honorees will receive a pin with either a gold or bronze seal and a letter signed by President Obama.
“I just couldn’t be more proud of them,” Tara Mondock said. “They have pulled together and have done some amazing things this year.”
One of the troop’s major projects was hosting a “Mini-Thon” on Nov. 11 at Gray’s Woods Elementary School, at which it registered more than 80 dancers and raised more than $1,000 to benefit pancreatic cancer research. In addition, Mondock said, the Girl Scouts made “cancer bracelets” and waiting room activity kits for children in the Tides CLIMB program at Mount Nittany Medical Center. CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) is a support group for children ages 6 to 12 whose parents or loved ones have been diagnosed with cancer.
To learn more about Troop 4-1230 or the ceremony, contact Mondock at Tara.Mondock@IVANS.com.
Making a greener Happy Valley
Many Centre Region residents are interested in sustainable practices, such as growing plants in a community garden and using energy efficient materials in their homes. They will have an opportunity to learn about those topics, among others, during a panel discussion and exhibition, “How Green is Happy Valley? Saving the Planet Begins at Home,” which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the College Township Municipal Building, 1481 E. College Ave., State College. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Centre County League of Women Voters Environment Committee.
During the panel discussion, four representatives from local environmental organizations will discuss issues related to community gardening, natural landscaping, energy conservation and alternative forms of energy. A question-and-answer session with the audience will follow the panel discussion.
Susan Buda, chairwoman of the Environmental committee, said that the information that will be presented during the forum could help local residents in various aspects of their lives.
“Green living and sustainable practices are good for their health and their pocketbooks,” she said.
Guests are invited to browse the exhibits presented by numerous local organizations, including Centre County Master Gardeners, ClearWater Conservancy and Spring Creek Watershed Association, from 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. Another event, “Green Homes and Garden Tour,” will be held on June 24.
For more information, contact Buda at sr1144@hotmail.com or 238-8012.
Stephanie Koons writes this weekly column featuring news from the Centre Region. Contact her at 235-3927 or skoons@centredaily.com.
