MILLSTONE – Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Brownie Troop 157 and their troop leaders Christina Baldino and Claudine Krosnowski visited the Allen House senior citizens building in Millstone Township during the Halloween season with pumpkins and paint, ready to decorate the senior housing complex.
According to a press release from Brownie Troop 157, in 2016 the girls “adopted” the Allen House senior residents as part of their service project and they plan seasonal activities. The seniors enjoy the interaction, seeing the girls and working together on projects.
The recent Halloween activity included a pizza party and pumpkin decorating.
“We took the girls on a Halloween hayride at Westhaven Farms in Upper Freehold Township prior to the event so they could each pick a pumpkin for our senior friends,” Baldino said. “I think it is important for the girls to see the event unfold from start to finish and really understand the importance of giving back to our community and doing something nice for others.”
One Allen House resident said, “Being surrounded by the Girl Scouts and painting with them was truly the highlight of my night!”
During the girls’ Halloween visit, there was a special presentation with a Seeing Eye puppy in training by Allen House board member and former Girl Scout leader Kathy Gould.
“Christina, Claudine and I are always searching for fun activities for the seniors and the girls and all ages benefit from puppy love,” said Gould, who is a puppy raiser for the Seeing Eye of Morristown. “The seniors are already asking me when the troop is coming back for their next visit.”
The members of Brownie Troop 157 are busy planning a December holiday activity for the seniors, according to the press release.
“The girls can’t wait to come back to the Allen House and spread some holiday cheer next month,” Krosnowski said. “The seniors love listening to the girls sing Christmas carols, enjoy eating Christmas cookies together and playing holiday bingo.”
The Brownies will be making gift baskets for their friends at the Allen House, according to the press release.