A Local Girl Scout Wins the ABC Summer of Service Award

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Felicia Dodge

HALFMOON, NY (10/07/2013)(readMedia)-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2013

Contact:

Gloria P. Baker

Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York

518.348.1413 ext. 401

gbaker@gsneny.org

Albany, New York – The Girls Scouts of Northeastern New York is proud to announce that Felicia Dodge, a Girl Scout Ambassador, received $1,000 as a recipient of the ABC Summer of Service Award in September. Felicia a resident of Schenectady County has been a Girl Scout for seven years.

"The ABC Summer of Service Awards, in collaboration with Disney Friends for Change, is an initiative that inspires kids and their families to make lasting, positive change by helping people, communities and the planet." The goal of the award is to showcase ongoing youth-led projects that highlight the creativity and commitment of young people working to meet the needs of others and to help these young community leaders with their mission to help others."

ABC had three key requirements:

• Applicants must be between the ages 14 – 18, located in and around ABC-affiliate communities

• All applicants are required to have a sponsoring organization or school

• Applicants must have already implemented a service project in their community

Felicia submitted her Gold Award project that addresses the lack of vocational training institutions in Haiti. She is establishing a sustainable sewing program at a local school in Gonaives, Haiti. The school is going to be provided with sewing machines, fabrics, needles, thread, patterns, oil and any other necessary material for lessons.

Felicia entitled her project "Invigoration" because it will provide a vital opportunity through sewing classes, for young men and women to learn a skill, make living, and provide clothing for themselves and their families.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that a Girl Scout aged 14-18 can earn. Since 1916, it has stood for excellence and leadership. It challenges girls to make a mark on their community that creates a lasting impact on the lives of others. Nationally, only 5.4% of eligible registered Girl Scouts receives the Gold Award each year.

In order to sustain the project, Felicia is creating a sponsor program to fund the purchase of sewing machines. She will reach out to companies, local businesses, families and Girl Scout troops to sponsor a machine. Sewing material for the school will be obtained by organizing drives to collect new/gently used fabrics, thread, needles, etc. Additional financial support will come from Felicia's $1,000 award money to help with shipping costs.

Felicia Dodge has joined the ranks of generations of young women who have and will continue to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

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About Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York

Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, founded in 1916 serves 11,000 girls and 5,000 volunteers throughout 15 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington. Service Centers are located in Albany, Queensbury and Plattsburgh with an administrative office in Halfmoon.