Community service is a major part of girl scouting. There are many opportunities for community service in our area, and we’ll be listing as many of them as we possibly can.

Please send us your suggestions!

 PROJECTS IN MARIN COUNTY

ANNUAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY
Third Saturday in Sept. • 9:00am–noon
COASTAL Cleanup Day is a statewide beach and waterway cleanup held throughout California each year. The cleanup is a partnership between the California Coastal Commission, non-profit groups, and cities and counties throughout the state. It is a major part of the International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest marine-related volunteer event, coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy in Washington D.C.
— GO TO the Coastal Commission website

SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Save The Bay has a calendar of service opportunities, from shoreline cleanups to native plant projects.
— GO TO Save the Bay website

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC?
The following websites list many opportunities for volunteering: use the search features to find kid- or teen-friendly opportunities.
— California Volunteers
— Center for Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership of Marin (CNVL)

MARIN COUNTY SEARCH & RESCUE (SAR)
DEADLINE for applications is in Feb., 2008
WHAT would it be like to help find people in trouble? If your are 14 years or older, join the Marin County Search and Rescue Team for a community service that will use many of your Girl Scout skills. This is a serious commitment — you must attend several meetings before submitting an application!
— GO TO the Marin SAR website

HABITAT RESTORATION
Pt. Reyes (year-round)
Help to restore and maintain Point Reyes to its natural state. This environmental project is a year-round opportunity to help remove and prevent the spread of invasive non-native plants. While hiking and working in the park wilderness, you will also learn about the native and non-native plants of Point Reyes.
— GO TO Pt. Reyes Habitat Restoration webpage

FOR ADDITIONAL PROJECTS,
see our MEMBERS CALENDAR

COUNCIL-SPONSORED SERVICE PROJECTS

REQUIRE pre-registration:

*To Kids from Kids (Sept.–Dec.)
To Kids From Kids is a holiday service project during which girls of all ages, troops and adults may participate to benefit children who are in foster care. The project ensures each foster child a gift whereas they might not receive one during the December holiday season.
— GET TKFK interest flyer (pdf)
— GO TO the To Kids from Kids website

*Goodwill Good Turn Days (March)
During the month of March, girls and troops can collect used items and clothing to be sold in Bay Area Goodwill stores. Through the sale of these items, Goodwill provides work, skills training and job placement people with special needs. Troops that have 100% troop participation will receive a troop ribbon.
— Contact Randy Mazzocco at (415) 575-2124

*Text, Toys and Tutoring (year-round)
This year-round program serves the Marin Community Clinic, one of only two non-profit pediatric clinics serving low-income residents of Marin County. All projects enhance clinic health services and make the trip to the doctor more enjoyable for everyone.
— Please contact the clinic to schedule a visit for your troop to the clinic BEFORE you start your project.
— CONTACT Maria Dominguez at (415) 448-1582 or Keri Fennell at (415) 448-1526 to participate

*Neonatal Quilt Project (year-round)
This service project encourages girls to make quilts for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. The babies come to Stanford from all over the world and the blankets are hopeful and happy additions to the unit. Groups are welcome to visit the neonatal unit for tours as part of this project.
— CONTACT Kate Teague, R.N. by email or phone (510) 247-0650

NO pre-registration required:

*Project Open Hand (due dates in Oct., Dec. & April)
Girl Scouts make inspirational cards to be delivered with meals to over 2,000 Bay Area residents living with HIV and AIDS. Cards should be as creative as possible. These cards are distributed to people of many faiths. The should not refer to a specific holiday, but should be seasonal in nature, such as “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Spring.” They should also have a positive, happy message, and not make any reference to illness or death. Please do not write “Get well soon.” Please do not let the girls sign the cards with last names—use first names, or no name. Any card that does not meet these guidelines will be discarded.

Cards should be sent or dropped off at the council office c/o the program department. The packet should contain the troop number, age level, and leader’s name, so that council can track participation. Label the outside of the envelope "Project Open Hand."

*Operation One Warm Coat
One Warm Coat is a national service project for Girl Scouts. Groups are offered a chance to organize a coat collection to benefit the community in which they live. Girls can participate anytime during the winter season either as individuals, troops or associations. Troops are needed to represent our council at the kickoff event in San Francisco’s Union Square the weekend after Thanksgiving.
— GO TO the One Warm Coat website