Special projects

The Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois announced that they have received grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, to implement Challenge and Change projects. The projects are planned in three Southern Illinois communities, including Anna.

Challenge and Change: Challenge Yourself, Change the World is designed to strengthen rural communities. Through these projects, girls become change-makers as they envision and start long-term community service projects in their own communities.

Each project will be funded up to $5,000 by the USDA and supported by their local communities and other Girl Scouts in their area.  

The Anna project is called Homework Pals. The goal of the project is to assist and encourage elementary school students to have strong literary skills such as reading, writing, literary analysis and critical thinking. Students also will be helped in other academic areas like math, science, history, music, computer skills and art.  

The goal of the project is to develop stronger readers who attain higher grades, higher scores on standardized tests and an increase in the graduation rate at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.

A-JCHS also is part of a project called Send Hope to Heroes. This project, in which a local Girl Scout is playing a key role, is collecting supplies which will be sent to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Donations also are being accepted at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.

Through the Challenge and Change and Send Hope to Heroes projects, local Girl Scouts cultivate their leadership skills. They also are playing key roles in supporting the community and the brave men and women who are serving our nation.

We commend the Girl Scouts and all of those in the Union County area who are involved in this special program. Programs such as Girl Scouting deserve the support and gratitude of the entire community.