Before we get to the specific things we can do, it’s important to
note that public health officials say the best help people can offer
right now, first and foremost, is to do their part to try to contain
the spread of the virus. That means staying at home as much as
possible, washing hands frequently and following
the other guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control.
Create Fun Girl Scout
Program Videos
Co-Leader Nicole R. along with her troop
started a YouTube video series "Stuck
At Home Series with Charlottesville Troop 944." Explains Nicole: "While
realizing there are millions of kids everywhere stuck at home, my
troop decided to start a YouTube channel this weekend, and are
creating daily short videos of a wide-array of topics to help keep
the boredom at bay. Safety and first aid, storytime, quick drawing
lessons, simple recipes, games to play at home, ways to get outside,
leave no trace, songs, knots, etc. Some will cover individual
requirements for badges (eg. bike safety), while others are more for
fun (eg. best knots to create a damage-free fort inside). Not only
has this been an awesome way to keep them busy, they are researching
topics, writing out scripts, planning their shots, and getting
creative with finishing touches. Learning by doing at its
finest!" Way to go Troop 944!
With our Moblie STEM Center planning out programs for this fall,
help us out by creating creative, fun STEM demo videos. We'd love
to add them to your
council's YouTube Channel: communications@gsvsc.org
Donate Cookies to Local Hospital Workers, Soup Kitchens &
Senior Communities
As a Girl Scout, if you still have
cookies, please set up a digital cookie booth to donate boxes to local
healthcare workers, those lacking food and the elderly. More
details on how to do this are here.
Scavenger Hunts & Holiday Lights
People in local
neighborhoods throughout the U.S. are putting teddy bears in their
windows to
turn a walk into a "bear hunt" for children out
walking their neighborhood with their families. Also you could cut out
paper
hearts and add them to your windows facing the streets for
families to spot on their walks. And grab your chalk
and decorate your driveway or sidewalk with fun pics and
uplifting messages of good cheer. Plus another popular siting... holiday
lights decorating houses in the springtime. All four of these
displays are providing a bit of emotional and actual brightness for
others to enjoy from a safe social distance.
Mail Greeting Cards to Your Local Retirement Community
No visitors allowed, but you can still send your greetings. Grab
your markers or colored pencils and get to work on your masterpiece to
brighten someone's day. Look online or call up that retirement care
facility within your local neighborhood and get their address. No
hand-deliveries; please mail out your greetings.
Mail Letters of Encouragement to First Responders
Write
a letter, color a card or just say thanks by postcard to your local
police, fire, hospital, health center, grocery store, post office,
etc. Send a note of encouragement and thanks to help these first
responders keep going to this time of crisis. It may not seem like a
lot, but a hand-written, hand-designed letter goes along way these days.
Sew a Face Mask for Local
Hospitals & Health Centers
Citing shortages nationwide,
health systems are asking the public to sew face masks for staff
fighting coronavirus. According to the CDC, fabric
masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have
been exhausted. Please reach out to your local hospital or doctor's
office to find out if they have a similar need. You
can find directions and patterns that follow CDC guidelines
here. And now
Sew Face Mask Headbands for Healthcare Workers
When
wearing a face mask for extended periods of time, folks ears get sore
ears so now people are getting crafty and sewing
headbands with buttons on each side where the elastic bands of a
face mask can attach to.
Help Out Your Local Animal Rescue
Animal rescues and
shelters are always in need of money and fosters, and now many are
unable to employ their normal amount of staff, making the need even
starker. You can donate, or contact animal rescues in your
neighborhood and see if you can serve as a foster while you’re homebound.
