Junior Girl Scout Troop No. 70323 completed a pair of ambitious projects Thursday. THEIR second project took more than a year of coordinated efforts with several in the community.
The first was clearing out trash, debris and fallen leaves from the pocket park on the east side of the courthouse square.
The Scouts have done spring cleaning in the pocket park the past two years, at the behest of Iola Community Involvement Task Force’s Donna Houser, said Traci Plumlee, Scout leader.
They also planted grass and a few flowers, as well as spread mulch, to help beautify the area.
The Scouts donated 10 lap quilts to the Iola Police Department.
The quilts were made with the help of mothers, grandmothers, neighbors and members of the Kincaid Friendship Quilters, Plumlee said.
The quilts will be used by police officers to aid children in need.
The project began when the Scouts took sewing classes at Keagle’s Sewing Shop in downtown Iola.
Since then, the girls helped solicit donations of fabric, design and patchwork quilts. The Scouts also were usually involved with the sewing.
As a result, 100 percent of the materials were donated, Plumlee noted, with more to come.
Plumlee estimated the Scouts have more than 50 others in various stages of completion, with a tub of fabric still waiting to be cut into squares.
Each quilt measures 3 feet by 4 feet when finished.
While Plumlee said she was impressed with the girls’ eye for color combinations and patterns, there were more important lessons to be learned.
“We have to teach and encourage young people to think about others and to use their resources — their time and talents — to help make a positive difference in the communities in which they live,” Plumlee said. “Hopefully they will take this experience with them as they grow, and continue to volunteer and provide service to others throughout their lives.”
Scouts finish quilts, cleanup
