—      Community service has rarely been on the minds of Alabamians more than now in light of the April 27 tornado outbreak. But, for Girl Scouts, it is a cornerstone in the foundation on which the organization was built.

Girl Scouts USA Junior Troop 20 of Limestone County has been working since August toward a community project to help the canine members of our community and to earn the Girl Scouts Bronze Award, a community service award. The 11-member troop, based out of Athens Bible School hosted a community event to raise pet food for Peace, Love, and Animals, a no-kill shelter in Tanner. The Celebrity Dog Wash, sponsored by Pet Depot, Eastside Animal Hospital and Casa Blanca, was Saturday, May 28 behind Pet Depot, located in the Publix shopping center on U.S. 72.

     “The dog wash went very well,” said Troop Leader Kristie Williams. “It was a success for PLA and the girls had a great time. It was a unique idea, very creative and I think was intriguing to people as we began advertising and soliciting support. So, we had a lot of support from individuals as well as the local business community to help pull it off. And, we really appreciate that.” she said.    

     This first-time, one-of-a-kind event featured country music artist Cristina Lynn and radio personality Flyin’ Brian of WSLV 1110 AM radio as dog washers. Plus, the girls invited their own personal celebrities, who include: Anthony Thomas, Jana's Father and general manager of Big Lots in Athens; Chad Smith, Jana's family friend; Annessa Smith, Macy's aunt and eighth-grade East Limestone School teacher; Vic Williams, Hannah Grace's father; Morgan Hester, Hannah Grace's Sunday school teacher at Madison church of Christ; Jackie and Donnajo Bradford, Lillian's grandparents; May Bauer, Hannah's Sunday school teacher; Kristi Swafford, Georgia’s teacher. Also, volunteering as dog washers are cadets from Girl Scouts Troop 30 out of East Limestone, cadets from Troop 72 out of Athens Bible School, and volunteers from PLA.

     At the event, dog owners were invited to donate pet food to the shelter and have their "bath-friendly" dog get a celebrity scrub-down. Participants enjoyed a demonstration by the Limestone Correctional Facilities’ K-9 unit. Troop 20 hosted a bake sale and silent auction as well. Items auctioned included: an autographed football from Philip Rivers, quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and former Athens High School quarterback; autographed football from Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik; autographed football from former Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden; an original sketch by syndicated cartoonist and Alabama native Bill Holbrook; and an original drawing collage of former Auburn University quarterback Cam Newton by artist Nathan Simpson; paintings by local artist Woody Woodard.

     To earn the Bronze Award, the girls discussed local needs and their own interests to come up with a service project that would not only be beneficial to their community but would be fun and interesting for them. The Girl Scouts Bronze Award is the highest award a Junior can earn. According to the Girl Scout Handbook, “It shows you have made a promise to help others, improve your community and world, and become the best you can be.” After much wandering 10- and 11-year-old thought, the girls came up with a dog wash to benefit an animal shelter. The troop received no money for this event; it was solely to earn the award.

For information about the troop, visit www.gstroop20.org.