Community Service Project Ideas
This page was last updated: January 2, 2012
Girl Scouts of Northern California
LAFAYETTE SERVICE UNIT
Have other ideas?
Email the Service Unit Community Liaison and she will update our list
Council Sponsored Projects
Get more information about these projects by reading the Council Resource Book or by calling the Council office.
Goodwill Good Turn Days
During March, troops collect used items and clothing to be sold in Goodwill stores. Troops that have 100% troop participation will receive a troop ribbon.
Neonatal Quilt Project
This service project encourages girls to make quilts for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. 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.
Project Open Hand
Troops can make inspirational cards to be delivered with meals for people living with AIDS/HIV.
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.
Other Local Project Ideas
Lafayette Library
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.
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!
Recycled Greeting Cards
Website: www.stjudesranch.org 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: http://www.foodbankccs.org/
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: Director Judy McShane at 925-685-8052 for current need/wish list
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.
