.

General Tips:

• Start with your own Girl Scout community if you are searching for a project.
  There isn't a Brownie Leader in this area that wouldn't enjoy an older troop taking over a meeting.

• Collecting things to give to others, while easy, is the least memorable service project. Try to come up with ideas that get the girls either making something for someone or going somewhere to volunteer. Meals on Wheels, soup kitchens and nursing homes love tray favors / baked goods....Brownies are very capable of that.

• The hardest part of volunteering is saying yes. No one expects perfection and there are no hard service projects.

• Do not take young children to institutions where they may be uncomfortable with the surroundings.  Save it for when they are older and can understand the situation.

• For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities in Westchester call the Volunteer Center, 470 Mamaroneck Rd., Mamaroneck, 948-4452. Volunteers must be over 14.

• For ideas on where to donate goods,  call the United Way Gifts in Kind program, 997-6700.

• General ideas: clean up a park or school yard
  collect books or toys for kids, clothing for a shelter
  visit residents in a nursing home
  serve a meal in a soup kitchen
  read to younger children
  help an elderly neighbor with chores
  bring flowers to patients in a hospital
  participate in a charity walk, or volunteer to help with one

• Check out websites like www.dosomething.org or www.rd.com/adcouncil2001 for ideas.