Troop 777 celebrates 10th year of program of giving to others

Thanksgiving is a time of celebrating family and offering gratitude for the many blessings people have received, but for the 10th year of the members of Girl Scouts of America Troop 777 of Killbuck, passing along the many blessings to others became a focal point.

The annual Blessing Basket project saw the troop make five large baskets of food and other gifts for area families when they gathered at Killbuck United Methodist Church on Nov. 23.

With troop leader April Parks doling out instructions, the girls faithfully stacked each Blessing Basket with a variety of items like corn, noodles, stuffing, rolls, eggs, sour cream and numerous other items. Larger items including milk, apple juice, packages of bottled water, large fresh fruit, vegetable baskets, and a frozen turkey and ham were added as gifts outside the baskets, creating a beautiful gift for five area families this Thanksgiving season.

“Giving back and learning how to serve others is the big thing for us in this,” Parks said. “It’s something that I think our girls look forward to doing every year because they realize it is making others happy.”

The girls made their way from their basket to the large table to grab each item and deposit them in their laundry basket. While they were paying attention and doing their jobs, there also was plenty of chatter and laughter. As more and more items found their way into the baskets, it became evident the families on the receiving end of this labor of love would receive a bounty for which to be grateful this Thanksgiving season.

“We’ve worked with Love INC the past several years, but this year we turned to the Killbuck Kids Club to find our families,” Parks said.

Peyton Parks has been a member of Troop 777 since this project began a decade ago. She said it has been as much of a blessing to the girls as it has been to the families on the receiving end because of the value it creates in teaching them about community service.

“There’s a lot of people out there, and even if we don’t know them, it’s always nice to help them,” Parks said. “There is always something we can do for others.”

The younger Parks said as one of the older, more experienced girls in the troop, it is fun to set an example for them through the project, sharing her experience with them as they learn to better understand the value of what they are doing.

“I enjoy this group of girls a lot,” Peyton Parks said. “They’re a lot of fun to be around, and they’re very energetic. I’m glad I stuck with the Girl Scouts, and no matter how old you are, once you get involved in doing something important like this, you want to be able to share the joy with others and pass it along.”

April Parks thanked the girls and their parents, who were in attendance for the process of putting the gifts together, telling them it’s one thing to wish someone a happy Thanksgiving, but it’s a whole different story when they are willing to go out of their way to ensure a happy Thanksgiving arrives for community families.

Donations for the Blessing Baskets come from many people throughout the community, and April Parks said it’s been worth every moment of investment for the girls.

“It started with an idea from a former Girl Scout, and it has grown in so many ways over the years,” Parks said. “I am truly amazed by people’s generosity. It takes a lot of helping hands to fulfill these baskets each year, and we have done a variety of versions of the baskets including donating anonymously, personal deliveries, and hosting meals with families and then presenting them with the baskets.”

Parks said special thanks go to the Millersburg Eagles for its support this year and every year because it has been a driving force in supporting the effort each year.