(Amityville, NY) – Girl Scouts and best friends, Gabriella Valentine, 14, and Katelyn Christ,13, began a community service project in early 2012 to earn their Silver Star Award, which is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can receive. After much discussion and research, Hope For Youth was selected as their local charity of choice. They made business cards, created posters, organized a Lemonade Stand and solicited donations from their family, friends, local businesses and the community.
The support and generosity of the community allowed the girls to purchase 20 backpacks, which they stuffed with school supplies and youth friendly items. When the manager of the local Massapequa Walmart learned of what the girls were doing, they approved a 10% discount on the items the young ladies purchased. With that added discount, the young ladies were able to provide a cash gift to the agency of $264.25. Moved by the story Gabriella and Katelyn’s Silver Star project and the work of Hope for Youth, Arvin Achan, Store Manager of the Massapequa Walmart had this to say, “We are committed to supporting the local community and to providing all of its residents the opportunity to live better.” As a result, Walmart awarded Hope For Youth a $1,000 community grant.
Agencies like Hope For Youth serve as a beacon of hope as well as a source of comfort and stability for a young person during a traumatic period in their life. When Dr. David Hegarty, Executive Director and CEO of Hope for Youth learned of the donation and the story behind the gift, he had this to say, “This project demonstrates the power of community and the amazing things young people can do to inspire action. We are so very grateful to Gabriella, Katelyn and Walmart for supporting our work with vulnerable children, youth and families on Long Island.”
Girls Scouts, Gabriella Valentine and Katelyn Christ; Walmart Store Manager, Arvin Achan and Hope For Youth will celebrate this very special gift at Hope For Youth’s headquarters, 201 Dixon Avenue, Amityville, on Tuesday April 2, 2013 at 11am.
Hope For Youth is dedicated to facilitating positive change in the lives of children, youth and families since 1969. We provide stable, nurturing, residential care, foster care, preventative and out-patient programs which educate, motivate and empower individuals to become self-sufficient and achieve their full potential.
