LEMONT, IL — To support the local food pantries, Girl Scout Troop 75565 in Lemont is hosting an Easter Basket Drive through March 24.
Laura Burt Nicholas, who is a co-leader of the troop, said the group, which consists of 10 fifth-grade girls, decided to do the Easter basket drive for their Bronze Award.
She said the girls decided everything about the project, and were the ones to reach out to local businesses and the food pantry, designed flyers, and check donation boxes each week.
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When asked why they thought the project was important, troop member Emmy Paskvan said, “People might not be able to afford Easter baskets for their kids so this project would help those people in need.”
“We want to make sure all of the kids in Lemont have a very special Easter,” Kailyn Shoup told Patch.
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Burt Nicholas’ daughter Ellie said she wants to help people feel the joy she feels on Easter or Christmas morning.
The troop is collecting a variety of items, including: candy, baskets, trinket toys, bunny ears, stickers and coloring supplies.
Emmy said the hardest part of the project was everyone agreeing on an idea.
“I think the hardest part of planning this project has been figuring out where we should put our boxes for donations. There were so many places we could put them,” Ellie told Patch.
“The hardest part of the planning has been finding time to reach out to the business since we are in school during the day. But the businesses have been great about helping us. We live in a great town with so much support,” Kailyn said.
Donation boxes can be found at the CORE, 16028 127th St.; Digs on Canal, 316 Canal St.; Lemont Public Library, 50 E. Wend St.; and Next Mex, 319 Front St., until March 24.
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