Brownie Troop 2309 Pays it Forward

These are the pictures from Brownie troop 2309 planting flowers at the Gallo's Home this past Friday. To tell you a little bit about Mike Gallo...

In early April 2011, an Old Mill Road parent Mike "Bubba" Gallo was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. He has remained strong through tough and exhausting bouts of chemotherapy and radiation that come with this horrible disease. But even as Mike struggles with this serious illness, he has not lost his signature bright smile, and continues to light up a room upon entering. Mike was born and raised in Oceanside , and graduated from Oceanside High School Class of '88. He married the love of his life Geanine and have three amazing and beautiful children who are students at Old Mill Road.

Mike is well known throughout Long Island as a man of loyalty, strength and an incredible friend to many. When people ask Mike why he chose to move to North Merrick, his answer is simple “It’s a great place to live, with great people to live with”. He continues to be a great influence in the community and our thoughts and prayers go out to him everyday.

Mike's oldest daughter is part of Brownie Troop 2309 at Old Mill Road. Our troops motto this year is "pay it forward" & "give back to others". I went to a local business (Pat's Farms) and told the owner, Pat, about Mike and how our troop wanted to pay it forward with the Gallo family and brighten their day with planting their summer garden. Pat was extremely generous and donated all the flowers for our planting project.

I am very proud of my girls. Being 8 and 9 years old and wanting to give back as much as possible just to see someone smile is a very grown up thing they do. They are very special little girls and make me proud to be their girl scout leader.

Sincerely,

Joann Garcia

Leader of Brownie Troop 2309