News and achievements from the New Oaks Service Unit. To submit a photo or news item, please contact our service unit.
Congratulations Gabriella Rado – Juliette GS for achieving Gold Award!
Gabriella Rado created Sew Kind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After organizing a local effort to sew hundreds of masks for healthcare and frontline works, Gabriella, then just 13, decided that once the need for masks subsided, she would sew only for charity and to teach others to do the same. Recognizing that many children do not have the opportunity to learn as she did, Gabriella began teaching at the Boys and Girls Club in Newburgh during its STAR drop-in program, designed to keep kids off the streets. She utilized a team of local sewers to teach and help create items that fill a local need, such as blankets for chemotherapy patients and scent hearts for premature infants. Her sewing classes soon spread to a second location in Poughkeepsie, and, to date, she has taught over 100 children how to use a sewing machine. To establish an on-going sewing program in both places, she has also collected at least 8 donated machines and provided four of them to deserving students who would not be able to afford one otherwise, and they continue to teach others. Gabriella has received calls of interest and donations from as far away as New Jersey and sees the potential for this program to spread to each of the more than 5,000 Boys and Girls Clubs in the U.S. and around the world. Eventually, she hopes to make Sew Kind an official non-profit and to copyright its name. For more information, visit SewKind.org
Congratulations Sabrina Vilato of Troop 10134 on Gold Award Project
Sabrina Vilato, a senior at Roy C Ketcham High School (Class of 2023) earned her Gold Award for her project, Leveling the Playing Field. Sabrina’s goal was to promote equity for student athletes of all genders, cultures, backgrounds, abilities and orientations through positive messages and programs. The project had many facets, including creation of a website for the Wappingers Central School District Sports Hall of Fame as well as creating social graphics for school athletes and teams and installation of a bulletin board and positive messages in the school locker room.
Troop 10181 earns Bronze with Collection for CARE
Congratulations to the members of Troop 10181 for earning the Bronze Award! These juniors wrote letters to their school principals, a dance studio and church and set up donation boxes for CARE of DC animal rescue. They collected items that the rescue needed and delivered the donations for the animals to enjoy.
Congratulations Olivia Brennan of Troop 10134 on Gold Award Project
Olivia Brennan completed her Gold Award project by building and installing a Little Library at Sheafe Road Elementary School and at Vassar Road Elementary School. Olivia, a senior at Roy C. Ketcham High School (Class of 2023) put in more than 100 hours on the project constructing the standalone libraries that are permanently installed at the schools in the Wappingers Central School District. She unveiled them at a ceremony with school and district officials and community members. Area children are encouraged to leave a book and/or take a book. The project goal is to encourage a love of reading among students.
OLDER GIRL SERIES – NEW CUISINES
On April 22, we held the Girl Scout badge workshop “New Cuisines” at Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers Falls. 25 girls in grades 6-8 from New Oaks Troops 10100 and 10366, and Fishkill Troop 10191, prepared regional, historical, international, and original recipes. We then all enjoyed the buffet of 20 different dishes. Special thanks goes to Jennifer Weisel, Gwen Higgins, Lynda Byrne, and Peggy Kelland who organized the event.
Troop 10356 completes Bronze Award
Members of New Oaks Troop 10356 recently earned their Bronze Award with a great project giving back to the community!
They volunteered at My Hope’s In You small animal rescue where they made treats for the animals and learned about proper rabbit, guinea pig, hedgehog and sugar glider care. Great job ladies!
New Oaks Older Girl Series back in action
After the pandemic shutdown, we resumed programming by scheduling the Cadette Journey in a Day on two separate Saturdays in January at Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers Falls. The girls explored first impressions, friendships, peer pressure, cliques, and bullying through large group games, small group discussions, and journaling. Despite last minute cancellations due to COVID quarantining, we had 18 girls on January 8 and 26 girls on January 22. Altogether there were 6 troops from New Oaks, 2 from Greater Fishkill, 1 from Tri-Valley, 1 from Pine Bush, and 1 from West Point.
2nd Annual New Oaks Gingerbread Challenge
Thank you to all the New Oaks Girl Scouts who participated in our Gingerbread Challenge. We were so pleased by all the submissions. They showed lots of talent and we hope you all had fun making them! Each participant will receive a fun patch, certificate and gift card.
Troop 10307 assists Wreaths Across America
Members of Senior Troop 10307 in December volunteered with Wreaths Across America. The girls helped lay wreaths at the Wappingers Falls Rural Cemetery honoring those that served our country. Thank you ladies!
Troop 10134 supports Operation Christmas Child
For many years, the now-Ambassadors of Troopo 10134 have stuffed hundreds of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The program for Samaritans Purse, allows volunteers to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, toiletries and other items that will be delivered to children all over the world. Troop 10134 has partnered with Vassar Road Baptist Church for the past several years to assist in their shoebox program.
Troop 10042 makes donation
Brownie Troop 10042 collected donations and used them to purchase food for the Myers Corners Elementary School food drive. Great job Stella, Charlotte, Emily, Jessica, Madison, Rylieigh, Annabella and Riley
Troop 10134 honors local veterans
Ambassador Troop 10134 participated in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Roy C. Ketcham High School on Nov. 10, 2021. They joined American Legion Post 427 at the ceremony which honors local veterans.
Silver Award – Ella Bartholomew & Isabella Martin – Troop 10307
Helping Mid-Hudson Animal Aid was the focus of Ella and Isabella’s Silver Award project. The girls created a new, permanent sign for the entrance to the no-kill shelter. Doing so allowed more of the shelter donations go directly to caring for the animals rather than creating a sign to replace the broken one. They also created a video to share with the community to promote support for the shelter. Great job!
Silver Award – Sadie Farmer & Katherine Wilantiewicz – Troop 10074
For their Silver Award project, Sadie and Katherine created Art on Wheels, a sustainable art cart for residents at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. The girls worked closely with the facility to determine the needs and to ensure they were providing quality items for the specific age range. They created activity bags for the children to use and collected generous donations from the community to fill the cart and have extra supplies for the upcoming year. The girls worked with scouts from Troop 10307 who also created an art cart for older children at the Children’s Home. The facility was extremely grateful for the new activity center.
Silver Award – Julianna Farmer & Mary Wilantiewicz – Troop 10307
A fun, creative outlet for kids ages 12-17 was the goal for Julianna and Mary’s Silver Award project. They created an art cart for older students at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie who can just grab an activity bag and go be creative. The goal was for the students to create something they love and can admire while dealing with boredom, sadness or other feelings. The girls held fundraisers where they taught younger kids to paint a sunset and also accepted donations from the public to stock the cart. The Children’s Home said this is a wonderful new addition to its facility. Great job!
Silver Award – Emily Zhang – Troop 10049
Congratulations to Emily Zhang of Troop 10049 for her incredible Bird Box project! Emily constructed boxes that encourage nesting by Eastern Bluebirds (New York state bird) and tree swallows but keep out intrusive house sparrows. The boxes were shared with Stony Kill Environmental Education Center for the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Bluebird Trail. Emily received a donation from a local Home Depot for the supplies. Her project was featured by the bird club as well as the New York State Bluebird Society. Emily’s work will help increase the bluebird population in our area. Great job!
Silver Award – Grace Learn & Caitlin O’Keeffe – Troop 10307
For their Silver Award project, Caitlin and Grace of Troop 10307, worked with the Dutchess County SPCA to help educate the public on the best way to donate. Did you know, the organization spends nearly $50,000 a year disposing of unusable items that people drop at its donation site? Their project brought attention to this and the girls created a sign to let people know what is accepted. They also got tons of donations for what the SPCA actually needs and hosted a cleanup at the site. Caitlin also provided dog and cat treat recipes that were shared with new pet owners. This effort will be a great benefit to our local SPCA. Great job!
New Oaks Leprechaun Trap Contest
There were some very sneaky leprechauns roaming our area in March but, thanks to the creativity and ingenuity of our New Oaks Girl Scouts, we had some traps to catch them! They were lured in with candy, cookies, and colorful rainbows! Thank you to all the Girl Scouts who participated in our first virtual Leprechaun Trap Contest! You showed so much creativity and talent. We hope you had fun making your traps! All girls will receive a fun patch, certificate and prize!
New Oaks Gingerbread Contest
Thank you to all the Girl Scouts who participated in our first virtual Gingerbread Contest! There were so many great entries that showed lots of talent and creativity and looked delicious! All girls will receive a fun patch and certificate. Congratulations to our winners – Lexi from Troop 10307 and Piper from Troop 10420 and special creativity prize to Michaela from Troop 10181
Holiday Treats for US Servicemembers
Troop 10153 and Troop 10497 recently baked homemade cookies as a holiday surprise for some local veterans and for servicemen and women aboard the USS Roosevelt.
Operation Christmas Child
Senior Troop 10134 and Ambassador Troop 10339 volunteered for the fifth year at Vassar Road Baptist Church stuffing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The girls collected donations all year and helped stuff 141 boxes that will be sent to children around the world through Samaritan’s Purse.
Gold Award – Caty Vilato – Troop 10339
Congratulations to Caty Vilato of Troop 10339 for earning her Gold Award! Caty created a Teen Closet at Roy C. Ketcham High School, soliciting donations of school supplies, clothing, toiletries and gift cards for RCK students in need. The closet has been used regularly during the school year and was also a huge help to students and their families after two fires in the village of Wappingers Falls displaced them from their homes. Caty is a 2020 graduate of Ketcham High School and made plans for the school’s Kindness Club to maintain the Teen Closet in the future. Congratulations Caty! (June 2020)
Silver Award – Aubrey Lawler – Troop 10153
Aubrey Lawler of Troop 10153 earned the Girl Scouts Silver Award for her project, The Neglected Shelter Animals of Dutchess County. The project aimed to help shelter animals all over Dutchess and to raise awareness of animals in shelters. In addition to collecting many donations for Hudson Valley Animal Rescue Services, Aubrey made hand-knitted pet blankets and homemade cat and dog treats. She volunteered more than 50 hours at HVARS and also created a memorial plaque. “This project has taught me so many things about pets, their welfare and the needs of animals shelters in Dutchess County,” said Aubrey. She encourages people to visit a shelter and consider adopting an animal today! Congratulations Aubrey! (August 2020)
Silver Award – Brianna Vivace – Troop 10153
Brianna Vivace of Troop 10153 earned the Girl Scouts Silver Award for her project building an educational compost bin for the Stony Kill Environmental Education Center. The project helps teach children the effects of natural waste and how it affects global warming. “My mission,” said Brianna “is to encourage children to have the drive to help the outdoors. ” She said staying inquisitive and wanting to learn about the environment at a young age will set healthy habits for the future. Congratulations Brianna! (August 2020)
Silver Award – Maya Davino – Troop 10153
Maya Davino of Troop 10153 earned the Girl Scouts Silver Award for her project building a Buddy Bench at Oak Grove Elementary School. The purpose of the bench is allow a child who is not feeling included to sit on the bench, prompting others to come and sit with or play with the child. The goal is to spread kindness and compassion. “By doing this project, I have learned kindness towards others,” said Maya. Congratulations Maya! (August 2020)
Silver Award – Sophia Cheng – Troop 10153
Sophia Cheng of Troop 10153 earned the Girl Scouts Silver Award for her project, Memory Books. The books are designed to help people living with dementia. It provides them with memories as well as helps prevent the loss of vocabulary and helps with communication. Sophia worked with the Friends and Family Adult Day Program and volunteered with patients to show them how to use the books to sharpen their vocabulary and memory skills. “This project taught me many significant characteristics,” said Sophia, “like compassion, social and communications skills.” Congratulations Sophia! (August 2020)
Girl Scout Sunday at St. Martin de Porres
On March 4, 2020, Girl Scouts from the New Oaks Service Unit had an incredible turnout for Girl Scout Sunday at St. Martin de Porres Church. Thank you to Mrs. O’Keeffe for coordinating the effort and to the church for always supporting Girl Scouts. (March 2020)
Silver Award Project: Drug & Alcohol Awareness (October 2017)
Emma Englert and Lizzie Irving from Troop 10162 are working on their Silver Award project, along with a fellow Girl Scout, Courtney Ashburn, from the East Fishkill service unit. The girls are working with the Town of Wappinger to help raise awareness for the growing substance addiction epidemic. You can read more in the cover story of the 10/18/17 edition of the Southern Dutchess News.
The community helped support the girls’ efforts by attending their Lantern Vigil on Oct. 26, 2017 at the Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer 9/11 Memorial Park in Wappingers Falls.
Thank you New Oaks Girl Scouts – From Sgt Jean (April 2016)
Our “adopted soldier”, Sgt Jean (far left in front row) and her fellow service men and women received our first shipment of Girl Scout Cookies … and sent along this photo to say Thank You!!
This first shipment included about 44 boxes of cookies and the cards that girls made at the Sweetheart Dance. We still have lots of cookies to seno (almost 70 boxes) and will be sending these in 2 to 3 separate shipments. (It just makes it easier for Jean and her group if they get them in batches.)
Many, many thanks to all of our New Oaks Troops who donated cookies, and to all of the girls who made the cards at the Sweetheart Dance. As you can see, you made this group of soldiers very happy!!
GSHH Announces the recipient for the 2nd Annual Juliette Gordon Low Leadership Award — New Oaks SU alumna Bettina Bricetti! (February 2016)
Bettina Bricetti, one of our own New Oaks SU alumna, was selected as the recipient of the 2nd Annual GSHH Juliette Gordon Low Leadership Award. The award will be presented to Bettina at the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Leadership Luncheon honoring our Community Partners, scheduled for Friday, March 11, 2016. For more information about the award and Bettina’s accomplishments, see the GSHH Juliette Gordon Low Leadership Award Recipient press release.
Congratulations to Sarah Petty of Troop 10067!!!!
(February 2016)
Sarah has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the highest and most prestigious award in Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the culmination of all the skills obtained and the connections that a girl has made over the years.
At Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center in Fishkill, near the barn, Sarah led a project to demolish an old pergola (which is similar to a gazebo) and build a new one.
