SocksPLUS: How Troop 70421 Earned Their Bronze Award

Denise Toth, Outreach Worker, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless with the 220-plus pairs of socks collected at the Girl Scout Troop 70421 Sock Hop.

When was the last time you were excited to receive socks?

Westlake Girl Scout Troop 70421 asked that same question last month and came up with a great idea that combined fun with fundraising.

They held a good, old-fashioned Sock Hop at Dover Intermediate School on March 18, collecting over 220 pairs of new socks to support #SocksPLUS, a mission spearheaded by Community West Foundation to help the homeless.

As leaders of tomorrow, these Girls Scouts bring a tradition of caring and compassion with them into the future. The troop received a recognition award along with a certificate, badge and pin at ceremonies held at the Parkside Administration Building last week.

Girl Scout Troop 70421: Troop Co-leader Jane Peer, Mirabella Zingales, Madeline Wacker, Stephanie Nivellini, Jessie Meno, Hannah Hartman, Linda Spencer, VP Admin, Communications and Marketing, Community West Foundation, Troop Co-leader Ashley Hotchkiss. Second row – Sarah Peer, Lucy Durbin, Grace LaVecchia, Lauren Hotchkiss, Katie Kretzinger. Front row/Seated – Tiana Nimylowicz, Charlotte Yappel, Amara Brahmbhatt, Aspen Neff.

Girl Scout Troop 70421: Troop Co-leader Jane Peer, Mirabella Zingales, Madeline Wacker, Stephanie Nivellini, Grace Bohan, Jessie Meno, Hannah Hartman, Linda Spencer, VP Admin, Communications and Marketing, Community West Foundation, Troop Co-leader Ashley Hotchkiss. Second row – Sarah Peer, Lucy Durbin, Grace LaVecchia, Lauren Hotchkiss, Katie Kretzinger. Front row/Seated – Tiana Nimylowicz, Charlotte Yappel, Amara Brahmbhatt, Aspen Neff.

The girls spent hours planning, organizing, promoting and decorating for the Sock Hop. They even hired a DJ, rented space and learned how to budget wisely as they created flyers, posters and presentations they shared with their schools. Admission was just $5 and, of course, a pair of socks!

They presented their donation to Community West Foundation and a representative from the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless at last week’s ceremonies to complete their goal.

: A slideshow at last week’s Girl Scout recognition ceremony describes how the Scouts teamed with Community West Foundation and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH).

: At the Hop! Poodle skirts and a community cause made for a fun night at the Troop 70421 Sock Hop.

: Scouts pose with their Sock Hop posterboard. The girls spent hours organizing and promoting for their fundraiser Sock Hop.

: The need for socks is a never-ending reality for the homeless.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior Girl Scout (grades 4-5) can earn. It requires her to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community.

For thousands of Cleveland’s homeless, socks are a gift never taken for granted. In fact, they are the item most requested by anyone living outside.

You can join in the campaign to assist Cleveland homeless through the ongoing efforts of Community West Foundation. Just visit #SocksPLUS!

Congratulations to Girl Scout Troop 70421 on earning their Bronze Award!