Bronze Awards
Elkins Girl Scouts honored for library charity efforts
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ELKINS - Eight girls from Girl Scout Troop 10142 received the Girl Scout Bronze Award this week for helping the Friends of the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library, known as the Bookhounds, with its spring used book sale.
The sale raised nearly $3,000 for the library, more than any past sale.
The honorees were Delaney Bennett, Guinevere Condra, Carly Corley, Ara Douglas, Joeie Graham, Tinley Morris, Willow Cronin Sams and Addy Terry, who are now fifth and sixth graders.
The Bronze Award is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn. Girls identify a need in their community, then plan and carry out a project to address it. Together, the troop logged nearly 150 hours on their project.
The girls chose to help the library because they have missed it; the facility at 416 Davis Avenue was closed due to water damage in December 2021.
"A few years ago, the library flooded and got destroyed. When it happened, a lot of people were really sad about it," Ara Douglas said. "So the people in my group decided to help raise money and books to rebuild it."
For Addy Terry, it was personal.
"I remember going with my grandma as a kid," she said.
The girls made posters and flyers for schools, stores and shops around town, drew chalk signs on the sidewalk outside the old library, and spread the word on social media. They collected donated books, games and puzzles, sorted books by category before the sale, and worked shifts during the sale in June, including walking around downtown to encourage people to stop by.
They also wanted people to know the library is still open in a smaller, temporary space.
"We miss having a permanent library with a big children's section, so I wanted to help," said Guinevere Condra. "I also wanted more kids to know about the temporary library and that they can get their own library cards."
"We tried to get as many people as possible to get a library card for when the new library is done," added Joeie Graham.
The girls said they learned a lot along the way.
"I learned how to categorize books," said Delaney Bennett. "I also learned that it takes a lot of hard work to put on a book drive."
Willow Cronin Sams said the troop "learned how to sell books and talk to customers, and how much work it takes to build and fix a community building."
Tinley Morris added, "I also learned how to talk to customers in a polite way."
Laura Hill, president of the Friends of the Library, attended the ceremony at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church to recognize the girls. She said this year's sale drew many more families than usual and brought in more than 50% more than previous sales.
"The mission of Girl Scouts is 'building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place,'" said troop leader Ruthann Talbott. "It was a true joy to watch our girls step into the community with courage and determination to help our local library."
"The confidence they gained was evident as they interacted with community leaders and members," Talbott said. "They embodied the mission of Girl Scouts by making our corner of the world a better place."
"These girls didn't just help at a book sale. They figured out how to get the whole town to show up for it," said Jocelyn Wyatt, a troop volunteer who helped guide the project.
Proceeds from the sale go toward an endowment established by the Library Board to support the renovated and expanded library on Davis Avenue.
"I learned that even small things can make a difference in my community," said Carly Corley.
Members of Girl Scout Troop 10142 received their Bronze Awards this week for helping the Friends of the Library raise nearly $3,000 at the spring used book sale. Back row, from left: troop volunteer Jocelyn Wyatt, troop leader Ruthann Talbott and Laura Hill, president of the Friends of the Library. Front row, from left: Willow Cronin Sams, Delaney Bennett, Carly Corley, Addy Terry and Ara Douglas.