Spotlight on Scouting: Scout volunteer puts community first

Aug. 6, 2014 11:56 AM PT

Each year, local Scouts complete projects in the community to earn the highest ranking in their various groups. The Glendale News-Press wants to share the Scouts’ good deeds with readers as they answer questions about their service projects.

Beatrice Breckheimer

1. I have been a Girl Scout since Daisies (13 years) and a Venture Scout for one year. I just graduated from Crescenta Valley High School.

2. For my project, titled ‘Healthy Habits for Those in Need,’ I collected hygiene items to donate to the homeless shelter Friends In Deed in Pasadena. Items were donated, collected through local drives and purchased with fundraised money. The items were assembled into packets, each of which contained a pamphlet with a link to a website I created, with information on how to live healthy and links to access local, affordable health care or items. I then hosted workshops for the community to discuss the issue of homelessness and inform them of how to continue the process to assist with — and eventually alleviate — the cause.

3. While volunteering at Friends In Deed last summer, I noticed many people come in and ask for spare hygiene supplies; however, the shelter mainly serves as a pantry, so there were few to give out. The idea behind the hygiene kits was to give people what they needed in the short run, and provide them with information on how to sustain their health in the long run — the idea behind the pamphlets and website.

4. This project has impacted me in that I am more confident in my ability to act as a catalyst for change: I noticed an issue, and took initiative to solve it — instead of merely mentioning it to someone else to do. Already, I have been able to do this on several other levels, and the satisfaction of knowing I can help with issues in the community is so rewarding — I love being an active member in everything I pursue.

5. I’ve been a member of the Assistance League of Glendale since seventh grade, and served as the service hours chair this past year. I am an intern at the Glendale Free Health Clinic and at the USC Medical Campus. This past year, I was a tutor at Rosemont Middle School as an active member of Crescenta Valley’s Academy of Science and Medicine. I have also completed in two Los Angeles marathons.

6. In the fall, I will be attending the University of Washington in Seattle, with plans to major in Neuroscience and Public Health (pre-medicine). I aim to volunteer with both the Peace Corps and Doctors Without Borders in the future — my ideal career path is medicine. My goal is to continue to volunteer with the Girl Scout organization and numerous women’s charities/organizations worldwide, because gender equality is an issue of extreme importance to me.

To let the News-Press know about more Scouting projects that helped local young people achieve their highest ranking, email mark.kellam@latimes.com or call (818) 637-3238.