COMMUNITY NEWS

Scouts make strides against breast cancer

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Bellmore commuters and residents may have seen them at the Long Island Rail Road station last year: 11 girls, all around age 8, selling Girl Scout cookies. The money, however, would not go to their scout troop, as is common practice. It would go to a good cause.

Through various fundraisers, Bellmore Girl Scout Troop 969 raised $925 over the past year to support the American Cancer Society. The girls, all fourth-graders at Winthrop Avenue School, presented their gift at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach on Oct. 19.

Troop leader Karen Levine said the group formed when the girls were in kindergarten five years ago. Levine explained that she allows the girls to make their own decisions about group activities, and that is how the idea for an American Cancer Society fundraiser was born.

Every year since Troop 969 has existed, the youngsters have decided how many boxes of cookies they want to sell, in addition to how to use the money they have made. Levine said the money is typically used for a party or social outing. Instead of having their nails done or seeing a movie, though, the 9-year-olds wanted to raise money for research to eradicate a disease that has already affected people they love.

“They came up with the idea,” Levine said. “A lot of them were touched by cancer in their families. They started telling their stories about their aunts, uncles, how mad they were about this disease.”

The girls said they wanted to make at least $200 in their “Cookies for Cancer” fundraiser. They achieved their goal, selling more than 400 boxes of the popular treats. Levine, however, said they weren’t done raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Levine suggested that they donate the money at the Jones Beach walk, in addition to taking part in the event. The girls agreed and began working to raise additional funds online in the months before the event.

The girls are participating in a journey, or Girl Scout leadership program, called “Agents of Change.” They used social media and the Making Strides website to gather donations from family members, friends and local residents.

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