Mars Girl Scouts’ hot chocolate raises spirits, money for children in need
ADAMS TWP — Mars area Girl Scout Troop 28842 raised over $650 this year to assist families in need during the holiday season.
“We offered to volunteer selling hot chocolate to raise money,” said Grace Wilson of Troop 28842.
Grace and members of her troop raised money at the premiere of Adams Township’s Winter Lights in the Park event two weeks ago.
“This was part of a fundraising project that was done by our service unit,” said Scout leader Kristin Wilson. “Our service unit is called Trefoil Scouts — it’s all Girl Scouts in the Mars area.”
The Trefoil Scouts have participated in this program for the last 31 years. The group traditionally raises money through caroling.
“We call it ‘Caroling for Mars,’ and troops sign up for one-hour time slots the weekend after Thanksgiving,” Wilson said. “We sing Christmas carols and hold a donation jar.”
The carolers are hosted by Dave’s Country Meats on Route 8 in Middlesex Township.
The fundraiser provides gifts to families in the Mars Area School District, who need assistance this holiday season. Troops pool their donations from caroling to benefit these families, but this year proved unique.
“This was the first year that we were invited to do the Adams Township light-up night,” Wilson said.
Sales from the Adams Township event as well as the traditional caroling donations exceeded the group’s expectations.
“This year, because we were so successful Christmas caroling and with the additional hot cocoa, we were able to spend $150 for each child,” she said.
For the last 30 years, the average available fund for each child has been $80 to $100. Wilson said that selling hot chocolate made a big difference.
“We actually made $650 on hot chocolate that night,” the troop leader said. “I was blown away. We were fortunate enough to have Marburger donate the milk and cream we used — so our supply purchases were minimal.”
After raising funds, the Scouts visit a local store to prepare their gifts.
“We all meet at Target early in the morning,” Wilson said. Then Heather Ladesic, Trefoil Service Unit treasurer, meets the girls “at the front of the store and she gives us a slip of paper,” she said.
Each slip of paper identifies a Mars Area School District student in need. There are no names, but the paper lists a student’s gender, hobbies, clothing sizes and desires. Scouts are then given free rein to shop for their beneficiaries.
“It’s very humbling to see some of the requests,” Wilson said. “They want a new winter coat; they might want socks or underwear. I think it’s eye opening for the girls.”
She mentioned one wish list that stood out during her eight years of service.
“I think one in particular was a 6-year-old girl: she asked for bed sheets,” she said. “For a 6-year-old to be asking for sheets for her bed — that was pretty moving.”
The Gibsonia Target where the troop meets is a familiar part of the fundraiser. “They dedicate a cashier to us when we’re ready,” Wilson said.
The store lets Scouts check out and bags their purchases in pre-paid gift bags. Each bag is marked with a code related to the students in need before being sent to the school district.
“Somebody in the administration then coordinates the effort overall and connects (the gifts) with the family,” Wilson said.
The Scout leader believes that the program not only benefits the students but the Girl Scouts themselves.
“The girls really advocate for these students,” Wilson said. “I think there are very few opportunities for kids to volunteer in their own community in a way that is that impactful and concrete.”
