Girl Scouts Donate 1,500 Books to NSCHC
When the girls of Troop 51405 discovered that many families of low-income areas have very few if any books in the home, they developed a Take Action plan to address the issue’s root cause. The girls partnered with Reach Out and Read, a national organization that gifts books to children via pediatric offices in low-income areas. The children receive their books at their wellness visits.
During Week of the Young Child, April 6 - 12, 2024, the troop held a book drive, collecting books for children from birth to teen that were in new or very good condition. Fifteen hundred books were collected and donated to North Side Christian Health Center! The troop also donated a new bookshelf for the lobby at Middle Street. Troop 51405 is made up of 11 fourth and fifth graders that are junior girl scouts from Upper St Clair School District.
The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania presented Troop 51405 with the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest recognition for achievement in Girl Scouting for girls in grades 4 and 5. The Bronze Award recognizes Girl Scouts who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs.
The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Reach Out and Read is a national early literacy organization working directly with pediatric care providers to share the lifelong benefits that result from families reading aloud to their children every day. NSCHC has partnered with Reach Out and Read since 2013 to focus on equitably strengthening and deepening our impact on the children, families, and the communities we serve.
The books are available for children to take home from their appointments at the Middle Street office as well as the office at Northview Heights. Thank you Girl Scouts!
The new bookshelf at Middle Street, filled with books for pediatric patients and families to take home to keep.
Troop leaders and Scout representatives from Troop 51405 deliver books to the Middle Street office. Pictured here with Bethany Blackburn, CEO, and Carilynn Coulter, COO.