About
Lauren Steinitz, a high school senior from Mahopac, New York, has spent the past twelve years of her life as a Girl Scout, during which she has received both the Bronze and Silver Awards. Now, as an Ambassador Girl Scout, Steinitz is striving to achieve the Gold Award. Similar to the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts, the Gold Award is the highest achievement that can be attained by a Girl Scout. This particular award requires that a Girl Scout identify an issue within today’s world, and complete a project that addresses, and has a lasting impact on, it.
From the commencement of her Gold Award "Take Action" Project, Steinitz knew that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of families in need. Since being in the hospital must be an overwhelming experience for a child, she hoped to do something to ease the anxiety that children may feel while being hospitalized. After doing a bit of research on children’s hospitals in the area, she came across Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and was hopeful that maybe there was some way in which she could help ease the lives of the patients and their families.
From the commencement of her Gold Award "Take Action" Project, Steinitz knew that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of families in need. Since being in the hospital must be an overwhelming experience for a child, she hoped to do something to ease the anxiety that children may feel while being hospitalized. After doing a bit of research on children’s hospitals in the area, she came across Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center and was hopeful that maybe there was some way in which she could help ease the lives of the patients and their families.
Prior to her initial visit to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Steinitz had the idea of donating new toys to the facility in mind. After receiving a tour of the hospital, she became well aware of the fact that the hospital was well equipped with toys for the children. The hospital offers a wide array of toys and games suited for children of all ages.
While on the hospital tour, Steinitz discovered that there was a scrapbooking program available for parents of children in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU). Considering that the program is run merely based on donations, the program has not exactly been capable of flourishing. Steinitz learned that oftentimes parents wish to join the program, but there might not necessarily be a scrapbook available for their use. In addition, the cart used for the program was falling apart.
It was then that Steinitz knew exactly what she would do for her Gold Award "Take Action" Project. She would make it her job to revamp the scrapbooking program, and allow it to flourish.
While on the hospital tour, Steinitz discovered that there was a scrapbooking program available for parents of children in the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU). Considering that the program is run merely based on donations, the program has not exactly been capable of flourishing. Steinitz learned that oftentimes parents wish to join the program, but there might not necessarily be a scrapbook available for their use. In addition, the cart used for the program was falling apart.
It was then that Steinitz knew exactly what she would do for her Gold Award "Take Action" Project. She would make it her job to revamp the scrapbooking program, and allow it to flourish.
In order to fundraise for the program, Steinitz organized a bake sale outside of a local market. By setting up her bake sale at this location, she not only raised money for the program, but also raised awareness for the stress that parents of those in the RNICU endure everyday. Raising awareness helps parents of healthy children to appreciate that which they likely take for granted.
At her bake sale, Steinitz received innumerable generous donations, which would help finance a new utility cart, a Smartphone-compatible printer, ink, paper cutters, scrapbooks, and other scrapbooking supplies for Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. With a bit of money now at her disposal, Steinitz began pricing scrapbooking materials. Finding that these products are all incredibly expensive, she knew that she would need to do more to fundraise.
At her bake sale, Steinitz received innumerable generous donations, which would help finance a new utility cart, a Smartphone-compatible printer, ink, paper cutters, scrapbooks, and other scrapbooking supplies for Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. With a bit of money now at her disposal, Steinitz began pricing scrapbooking materials. Finding that these products are all incredibly expensive, she knew that she would need to do more to fundraise.
Despite the generous donations that she had received to that point, Steinitz knew that she would need to reach out to others for additional help. Given that her hometown is a rather close knit community, she reached out to local businesses for assistance. Mailing letters with pictures of the current scrapbooking cart enclosed was a lot of work, but Steinitz soon learned that it was much worth her efforts. She found the generosity of those who responded to her to be truly humbling. These donations, combined with family contributions, left Steinitz not all too far from her fundraising goal.
As a last attempt to collect donations, Steinitz reached out to anyone and everyone in her school who was willing to help out with her project. She left a decorated jar in the office of Mahopac High School with the hopes that teachers and students might drop in some spare change. She even made an announcement over the loud speaker to the building asking for help and explaining her project. Once again, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
As a last attempt to collect donations, Steinitz reached out to anyone and everyone in her school who was willing to help out with her project. She left a decorated jar in the office of Mahopac High School with the hopes that teachers and students might drop in some spare change. She even made an announcement over the loud speaker to the building asking for help and explaining her project. Once again, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
It was then that she truly began seeing her project come to fruition. As she began shopping for supplies, Steinitz headed to multiple craft stores, as well as various websites. She looked to purchase the best products for the program, while also trying to budget the money she worked so diligently to earn.
Simultaneously, Steinitz took multiple trips to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center at times when the scrapbooking program was being run. While she was there, she was able to sit in on the program and hear the stories of the parents who took part in it. She learned all about what the program means to these parents, and was able to gain a sense of what they would like to see the program turn into. Additionally, while attending these scrapbooking sessions, Steinitz gained a stronger appreciation for her own wellbeing.
Simultaneously, Steinitz took multiple trips to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center at times when the scrapbooking program was being run. While she was there, she was able to sit in on the program and hear the stories of the parents who took part in it. She learned all about what the program means to these parents, and was able to gain a sense of what they would like to see the program turn into. Additionally, while attending these scrapbooking sessions, Steinitz gained a stronger appreciation for her own wellbeing.
After many hours of shopping and research, she had finally purchased everything the program needed. Steinitz returned to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center with all of her purchases, and set off to work. She combined the supplies that the program already had with all of those which she had just purchased. In addition, Steinitz sorted all of the supplies into labeled bins. This way, it would be easy for the brand new cart to remain neat and organized.
In that moment, Steinitz was exceptionally glad to see all of her efforts come together, and be able to see the program coordinators and all of the parents appreciate the numerous new supplies that the program now had to offer. While at that point her official project at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center was complete, Steinitz knew that there was a bit more to do in order to ensure that the scrapbooking program always has all that it needs in order to continue to flourish.
In that moment, Steinitz was exceptionally glad to see all of her efforts come together, and be able to see the program coordinators and all of the parents appreciate the numerous new supplies that the program now had to offer. While at that point her official project at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center was complete, Steinitz knew that there was a bit more to do in order to ensure that the scrapbooking program always has all that it needs in order to continue to flourish.
Steinitz has asked a teacher at her school, who had actually been a part of the scrapbooking program at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, to help sustain her project. Considering that she is so attached to the hospital and this program in particular, the teacher was happy to help.
She has ensured Steinitz that each year a “Dress Down Day” will be instituted into the high school calendar devoted toward "Brighter Days for Hospital Stays." On dress down days at Mahopac High School, teachers are allowed to dress more casually as long as they donate money toward the cause that the day is devoted to. To collect this money in the coming years, Steinitz has given the donations jar that she decorated to this teacher. Although this money will be of great help to the scrapbooking program at the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Steinitz knew that she wanted to do even more to sustain her project.
She has ensured Steinitz that each year a “Dress Down Day” will be instituted into the high school calendar devoted toward "Brighter Days for Hospital Stays." On dress down days at Mahopac High School, teachers are allowed to dress more casually as long as they donate money toward the cause that the day is devoted to. To collect this money in the coming years, Steinitz has given the donations jar that she decorated to this teacher. Although this money will be of great help to the scrapbooking program at the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Steinitz knew that she wanted to do even more to sustain her project.
In addition, Steinitz has also asked the Mahopac Interact Club to do a scrapbooking supply drive for the hospital on an annual basis. The Mahopac Interact Club is a community service based organization that Steinitz has been a part of since her freshman year in high school, and upon hearing about her project, was more than willing to lend a helping hand.
To ensure that the Interact Club does a drive for supplies that will best benefit Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Steinitz created a list of the supplies that she purchased for the hospital. This way, when the drive is run, those who wish to participate will know exactly what the hospital is in need of. Steinitz also trained two younger members of the Interact Club with regard to every aspect of her project. Next year when the scrapbooking drive is run, even though Steinitz will be away pursuing a higher education, there will be someone there that knows exactly what the hospital needs. In a sense, it can be said that Steinitz has passed on her project to two reliable students, and has requested that they do the same upon their graduation. Therefore, in the years to come, it can be assured that "Brighter Days for Hospital Stays" will live on.
To ensure that the Interact Club does a drive for supplies that will best benefit Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Steinitz created a list of the supplies that she purchased for the hospital. This way, when the drive is run, those who wish to participate will know exactly what the hospital is in need of. Steinitz also trained two younger members of the Interact Club with regard to every aspect of her project. Next year when the scrapbooking drive is run, even though Steinitz will be away pursuing a higher education, there will be someone there that knows exactly what the hospital needs. In a sense, it can be said that Steinitz has passed on her project to two reliable students, and has requested that they do the same upon their graduation. Therefore, in the years to come, it can be assured that "Brighter Days for Hospital Stays" will live on.