Girl Scouts step up in fight against cancer

Local Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops are known for their dedication to the Valley Stream community and can often be seen helping out people or organizations in need.

Girl Scouts Troop 2042 is a prime example of community outreach as the group of fifth-grade girls from Wheeler Avenue School recently donated $235 to the 1 in 9 Breast Cancer Action Coalition.

One of the troop leader’s, Ellen Strojan, said she reached out to other parents in the troop to see if they would be comfortable with the girls learning about breast cancer. Once she got the go-ahead, the troop went over breast cancer statistics, activities they could do for exercise and healthy eating.

In October, the girls bowled at the San Dee Lanes Bowling Center in Malverne to raise money for 1 in 9, an organization committed to fighting the cancer epidemic through education, outreach and environmental advocacy. The organization is based at the Hewlett House in Hewlett.

Strojan is president of a league at San Dee Lanes and organized the event. The girls sold pink ribbons they had made to help raise money.

Paige Smith, a 10-year-old who has been in the scouts for two years, said she had a fun time bowling and making ribbons. Smith said her great-grandmother died from breast cancer so she liked raising money for the cause. “It feels really good to do that because it feels like I’m actually helping somebody that might need it,” she said.

Dawn Tortora and Lauren Soynn, each 10, said it was nice to learn about breast cancer and raise money for a worthy cause. “If you think about it,” Tortora said, “you’re making one person’s life better.”

The girls took a tour of the Hewlett House on Nov. 22 and presented Geri Barish, executive director of 1 in 9, with the funds they raised through bowling and ribbons.

Barish said it is a big joy to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they realize how much they’re helping. “It really gives them an idea of what the other side of the world is about,” she said. “There’s a health crisis going on and they can play a very important part. They can make a difference.”

The girls earned a patch for their efforts and are working toward earning the Bronze Star sometime over the summer, Strojan said.