Walnut Creek Girl Scout Association

Member of Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area

Service has been a cornerstone of Girl Scouting since its beginning.  We pledge our service to others every time we recite our Promise and Law. Even our slogan is “To do a good turn daily.” Service is a wonderful chance for girls to not only develop many social skills by working together and making new acquaintances, but also develop attitudes needed to address community and worldwide needs and improve the world around them. As well as increasing their self-esteem, they develop skills in communication, problem-solving, negotiation, decision-making, critical thinking/evaluation, and leadership.

All projects need not be large or time-consuming. Our goal is to develop a series of experiences that help girls become responsible individuals and citizens.

So where do we start? In your troops, give girls the opportunity to express and discuss their concerns about society and the ways they can make a difference. IF they have a genuine interest in the project, they will be more eager to be involved with the development of the project. If you have any questions about project guidelines, check Safety-Wise or contact the Association’s Community Service Coordinator.

One time projects are not as effective learning experiences as continued opportunities to serve.  Thus, here is a list of many projects that we can expect each year as well as a few additional suggestions, provided to hopefully inspire our desire to serve!

Council Sponsored Projects
Get more information about these projects by reading the B.E.A.T. Book or by calling the Council office.
Community Clean-Up Month
Kick off your troop’s program in September with the statewide Coastal Cleanup. Help clean our beaches and shorelines in Martinez, Alameda, and other areas.
To Kids from Kids
This holiday service project benefits children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and are now in foster care.  Girls can collect or purchase new items for gifts during the holiday season and/or help sort and box items during the December distribution.
Project Open Hand
Troops can make inspirational cards to be delivered with meals for people living with AIDS/HIV.  There are three turn-in dates during the year.
Goodwill Good Turn Days
During February and March, troops collect used items and clothing to be sold in Goodwill stores. Girls can earn a patch from Goodwill!
Operation: One Warm Coat
This is a national Girl Scout service project. Troops organize a coat collection to benefit the community they live in.  You may participate anytime during the winter season.

Association Sponsored Projects
Get more information about these projects by contacting the Association Community Service Coordinator.
Meals on Wheels
Troops make tray favors to be delivered with meals to elderly or housebound clients.  You may sign up for several holidays throughout the year.   Click here for an information sheet; click here to see which months are available.  Sign up is through the Community Service Coordinator.
Storm Drain Stenciling
Phone: Rinta Perkins at 943-5899 ext 201
Help stop storm drain pollution by applying heavy-duty rubber decals with lettering that warns, "No Dumping! Drains to Creek". You can also leaflet the stenciled neighborhood with fish flyers. Supplies are available thru the City of Walnut Creek.  Association provided patch is available through the Community Service Coordinator.

Other Local Project Ideas
Contact the Association Community Service Coordinator or ask at the Leader Meetings for more information on the following projects or to learn about others.
Walnut Creek Cleanup
Phone: Dave Wallace at 943-5829
This event is co-sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek and Friends of the Creek.  Help clean the creek in May. This is a yearly event and a BBQ is served to all workers. Girls should wear gloves, old shoes/clothes and plan to get wet.  Shadelands Docent Program
Phone: Docent Volunteer Coordinator, Clair Redden at 935-7233.
Girls 4th grade and older who would like to learn more of our local history can be docents at Shadelands Ranch Museum. After being trained, the girls would work a four-hour shift with an adult docent.
Retirement/Board & Care Home Visits
Be friendly visitors! Take the troop in costume, call Bingo, give May baskets, do crafts, sing, perform a play, even hold your meeting or ceremony there. Lots of troops visit during the holidays, but visitors are enjoyed all year round! We are in the process of building an extensive list of small Board and Care homes, but visit the website for some ideas to get you started.
Ygnacio Valley Library
Phone: Ann Shelton or Kathy Marzac at 938-1481, press 03
Girls can help in the library beginning at age 8.  You can also consider volunteering at your own school library.  Girls can clean book jacket covers, tabletops and computer screens at their school library.
Recycled Greeting Cards
Website: www.stjudesranch.org                                                                                   NO MORE CARDS ARE NEEDED!!  Visit their site to see other ways you can help.  Collect used greeting cards, remove the signature portion and send to Father Herbert A. Ward at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, P.O. Box 985, Boulder City, NV 89005.  The cards are re-made into craft items. 
Books for Barrios
Phone: Nancy Harrington at 925-687-7701
Website: www.booksforthebarrios.com
Accepts good condition books, games, toys and clothing (especially little girl’s dresses) for the Philippines.  The girls pack the items for shipping, view slides, and are served a Filipino snack.  This group is privately funded, and relies on the generosity of donors.   A donation of 50¢ per child is requested when you visit.
Contra Costa County Food Bank
Phone: Andy David at 676-7543 ext. 209
Website: www.foodbankccs.org/volunteer.html
Collect non-perishable food from your school or neighborhood.  Incorporate a food drive with your school event by asking each family to bring a canned food.  Volunteer to help sort food and see where it all ends up.
Christmas for Everyone
Phone: Mary Perez at 228-2233 for specific needs
This program provides a hot meal and new gifts for homeless, needy or homebound of all ages on Christmas Day. Donations of canned food, gifts, wrapping supplies and new/almost new clothing are needed. There is always a shortage of gifts for adults and teens.
Teens Who Care
Phone: Mary Perez at 228-2233
For girls in 8th grade and up, a house painting crew meets during the month of July to paint the exterior of low income or non-profit buildings.
Bay Area Crisis Nursery
Phone: 925-685-6633 for current need/wish list                                                Website: www.bacn.jkmas.com
Provides temporary housing for children (babies to about age 8) whose families are undergoing some sort of crisis.  Donations of clothing, canned food, diapers and wipes are always in need.  Also needed are new birthday gifts and Christmas gifts.
Wardrobe for Opportunity
Phone: 925-935-2146
Website: www.wardrobe.org
A non-profit organization that provides free business clothing and career support to economically disadvantaged women in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.  Various volunteer opportunities for different ages including personal shopper, inventory, sorting jewelry, make-up kits and clothing drives.
Book Crossing
Website: www.bookcrossing.com
“Commit random acts of literacy.” Read books, register them, and then release them for someone else to read! (Forget it at a park bench, leave it at the mall, donate it to charity, etc.) Girls can track the journey of their books on the website and hunt for released books.  Amazing opportunities for literacy, hands across the water and badge or try-it work.  This is a secure site, with no personal girl information needed.
Saklan Indian Site
Phone: Dottie Rich at 925-944-0202
Maintain and clean a sacred Indian site just outside the gate to Rossmoor.
My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Project
Phone: Eleanor Dugan at 415-433-7244
Donate materials that can be used for padding inside simple emergency sleeping bags to keep people warm and alive on the street.
Hospice
Phone: 925-609-1849
Website: www.hospicecc.org
Hospice provides many different ways to contribute, including “Trees to Shine in Remembrance,” Anna’s Attic Thrift Store, Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness and much more.  For information visit their website.
Zink the Zebra Foundation
Website: www.zinkthezebra.org
Zink, the story of a spotted zebra, is the basis for a program that helps girls to understand how it feels to be different.  Written by a girl who succumbed to cancer, this patch program promotes sensitivity and tolerance for each level of scouting.  For details and links to scouting activities for different age levels visit their website.
Volunteer Center of Contra Costa County
Website: www.helpnow.org
For on-going and one-time volunteer service opportunities, check the website. Family Giving Tree
Phone: 408-946-3111
Website: www.familygivingtree.org
Sets up "giving trees" in local business and schools to provide gifts to needy children and families.  Near holidays, volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts. Volunteer Match
Website: www.volunteermatch.org
Search for information about on-going and one-time volunteer opportunities, by location, interest area and age group.                                                                     Children's Hospital of Oakland
Phone: 510-428-3471
Website: www.childrenshospitaloakland.org
Donations of new activity kits, books, get well cards and other supplies for children.  Visit the website or call for more information.