MINSTER – Paige Purdy, 15, of Minster, received the highest honor one can earn as a Girl Scout in July.
She received her Girl Scout Gold Award after working on a project that matches high school volunteers with volunteer opportunities at Elmwood Assisted Living of New Bremen.
She set up a website that shows volunteer opportunities, such as pulling weeds, helping with the resident Christmas party, helping with bingo or in the fitness room, that area high school students may sign up for.
Purdy got the idea when she needed service hours while going through confirmation. Her grandpa had also gone to Elmwood, and she noticed the need for help at the center. She wanted to create something that the students and residents at Elmwood could rely on.
One of the requirements for the Gold Award is that it must be sustainable. The website is still active and another girl is in charge of keeping it going now.
The link to volunteer can be found on minsterlocalschools.org under “For Students” then “NHS”. Once you click on NHS it will be in bold letters Elmwood Volunteer Link.
Purdy said most of the students who volunteered were from Minster High School, but she encourages anyone in the area to sign up if they need service hours.
Another part of the project was making welcome baskets for the residents when they arrive at Elmwood. She held a drive at her church and collected toiletries and little goodies to include in the baskets. She wanted to create a comfortable setting there.
Another one of the requirements for the project was to present the idea to the council before starting. She presented the idea in June 2014, and once they approved it, she had to put in 80 hours of work. Once she completed the project, she had to present to them what she learned and how the project will be sustained. After she completed all the steps successfully, she was presented her Gold Award.
Purdy has been involved with Girl Scouts since she was in kindergarten. In second grade when she moved to Minster she joined Troop 20252. As a troop they earned their Silver Award together a couple years ago.
Besides Girl Scouts, Purdy works at McDonalds, is on the school swim and volleyball teams, and plays in the marching band.
She said it was hard working on this award and balancing all of her activities, but it really taught her time management.
Purdy wants to encourage other Girl Scouts to earn their Gold Award because you really learn a lot about yourself and it was worth the time and hard work.
