Madeline Thompson, a freshman at Heritage High School, loves to read.
That love led to her Girl Scout Silver Award Project.
Those looking to pursue a Girl Scout Silver Award must be in sixth, seventh or eighth grade, a registered Cadette and completed a Cadette journey.
Scouts must first identify an issue they care about, build a Silver Award team or decide to tackle the project solo, explore her community, pick the project, develop the project, make a plan and set it into motion and then reflect and share their story.
Scouts must complete journeys before earning the award because the journey teaches girls what it takes to successfully complete a Take Action Project, making them more prepared to develop, plan and implement their Silver project. A Silver Award project takes at least 50 hours to complete.
“I absolutely love to read and encourage others to read,” Thompson said. “Out of the man things that I love, my church and books are pretty high up on the list.”
Thompson decided to make a free Christian Library Box for her church, Homer United Methodist located at 301 S. Main Street in Homer.
“I got the idea for the library box after talking to a member of church board committee, who also happens to be a friend of mine,” Thompson said. “The church wanted to spread the word of God throughout the community, so we decided to build a library box.”
Thompson said the Silver Award, the highest a Cadette can earn, gives scouts the chance to complete big projects.
“The award gives us the chance to do big things and make our community better in the process,” she said. “The scout is expected to spend 50 hours completing a project that will provide lasting benefits to their community.”
Thompson said the project is to be led by the scout but adults can advise and assist when necessary. Thompson said that the Silver Award is important because it helps the community and finishing the project made her extremely proud and happy because she was able to help her church and community.
“I created a free Christian Library box to give people in my community the ability to grow into their faith,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the library is for members of HUMC but she also hopes non-members will stop and borrow a book.
“Our church motto is ‘Connecting people with Christ’ and this box helps us to really unite people with the word of God,” she said.
Thompson said the library allows people to leave or take a book
“So whether you have some books to donate or you’re looking for a good Christian book to dive into, the new free Christian library box is the perfect place to visit,” she said.
Thompson said her favorite part about scouting is being able to help people.
“I really love being able to teach the younger Girl Scouts too,” she said. “All of the activities are really exciting and very thrilling. All in all, I’m in love with Girl Scouts.”
