In the spirit of Halloween and the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, Girl Scout Troop 283 donated costumes to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
For most children in foster care, Halloween costumes don’t make the list of essentials, which is why when CASA volunteer Cortney LaMere heard her daughters Girl Scout Troop was hosting a costume drive, she thought CASA would be the perfect agency to donate them to.
“I’ve been collecting my children’s costumes for over 11 years, may of them have only been worn once,” LaMere said in a press release. “Donating the costumes is about giving children in foster care the same experiences and childhood memories as their peers.”
The troop donated more than 30 new and gently used costumes. Troop leader Katy Ruiz said Girl Scouts are encouraged to complete several community and take-action projects throughout the year.
“We strongly encourage the girls to explore topics they have never experienced themselves,” Ruiz said in the press release. “It’s about understanding how each of them can make a difference. The girls felt it was important to donate their gently used costumes to other children who might otherwise go without.”
Grace Ruiz, 11, a Girl Scout in Troop 283 said in the press release that she was excited to donate her costume from last year.
“I feel every child should have at least one night where they don’t have to worry about being left out and can be happy. My costume will help them do that,” Ruiz said in the release.
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2014.
