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Ms. Cathy Roncskevitz’s Brownie Troop 65 prepared large storage bins with special items like photo albums, cleaning supplies, a gift card and a candle for seven staff members of the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School most affected by Hurricane Sandy as a care package before Thanksgiving to help lift spirits. The Brownies also made beautiful cards to present to the staff members with the Brownie care packages. The girls, their Brownie Leaders and many of their parents assembled in the main office with the recipients of the gifts as colleagues looked on. This took place before school at 8:45 am and the girls read their prepared speech over the loud speaker.
There was a hardly a dry eye to be found as the girls read: “We are Girl Scout Troop 65 and we welcome you here today to celebrate "community". We heard that all of you were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy and we wanted you to know how important you are not only to us, but to the entire Oyster Bay-East Norwich School System.
Thanksgiving is only 2 days away and we want to give thanks to YOU. You teach us, you help us and guide us into becoming important members of our community. We wish that Hurricane Sandy never caused all the damage that it did to your homes, but it did. We sat down and thought what it must have been like to go through all the horrible things that happened and what it must be like to have to be so strong and rebuild. We know the road ahead will not be easy. We hope that these baskets we put together will help you recover just a little bit faster and maybe just a little bit easier. Troop 65 and the community want you to know how much you are cared for and supported. We hope these small items also help you realize how much you are admired. Happy Thanksgiving from the Girls of Troop 65.”
Brownie Troop 65 includes Faith Lingen, Makenzie Macchia, Mariana Panariello, Abbie Askelund, Leigh Nathan, Ryleigh Greene, Maggie Drennan, Kaleigh Bosch, Claudia Torres, Cassy Oswald-Pisarksi, Robyn Glaser, Sofia Dean, Jennifer Catania, Kate Webster, Aurora Aschettino, and Helena Boutis.
Theodore Roosevelt Principal Gina Faust wrote a note to each of the Brownies in which she said, “Dear Members of Brownie Troop 65, Thank you for the incredibly thoughtful and generous gifts presented to Theodore Roosevelt’s teachers most affected by Hurricane Sandy. Your kindness and care for others is admirable. It was so special to have you gathered together in the main office, surrounding the teachers with support and love. I know we will always cherish that special moment. That moment made me think of one of my favorite quotes…
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” - Margaret Mead
Congratulations on a job well done! We are so proud of you!
Sincerely, Ms. Faust"
