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Girl Scouts: Learn About United Way and Earn Important Badges
April 28, 2006

A group of eager Girl Scouts from Troop # 2129 of Rockaway took on the globe recently!

The girls were earning their "Citizen Near and Far" badges which require them to study community needs in other countries as well as here at home. Jean Funk, Communications Manager at United Way of Morris County, visited the troop on a recent afternoon.  She brought along a globe, some games and lots of information about United Way efforts in communities all around the world.

Jean and the girls first focused on the massive rebuilding efforts in Southeast Asia counties hardest hit by the tsunami on December 26, 2004.  Although the scouts were only second graders at the time, they all remembered this devastating event. 

After discussing the natural conditions that create a tsunami, and learning some interesting facts (the elephants, with their big ears, knew first!) the troop reviewed the work United Way is doing to help rebuild these communities.  The initial priorities have been the rebuilding of homes, schools, public works, and health facilities; the restoration of destroyed fisheries, farms and other small businesses; and, educational support for children left orphaned by the tsunami.

The girls then played a memory game that taught the dozens of countries where United Way is doing local community work.

The discussion then moved to the needs of those communities in the Gulf Coast, and all the long term rebuilding work that United Way and other organizations are doing to help rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The girl scouts seemed to enjoy the lessons, but Jean  Funk had the best time of all.  She was impressed with their community-minded spirit.

"These girls are well on their way to being life long volunteers and givers.  They already do a great deal for their local community, helping in ways large and small.  Their questions were thoughtful as we talked about what community needs really are after utter devastation, like tsunami or Katrina.  An impressive troop!" said Funk.