Presiding Officer Norma L. Gonsalves (R-East Meadow, LD 13) recently attended a Gold Award Ceremony for the Bellmore Association of Girl Scouts at the Merrick Road Park Golf Clubhouse in Merrick. Presiding Officer Gonsalves presented Lauren Gemma and Emma Stern, the Gold Award Recipients for Bellmore’s Association of Girl Scouts, with a Nassau County citation in honor of their outstanding accomplishments.
To attain the Gold Award, Lauren’s project reflected her love of art as she created an art workshop at two assisted living homes. With the help of her troop, Lauren helped senior citizens create simple yet interesting crafts each week. While hosting these workshops Lauren had begun to create relationships with the people that had come each week. She had learned the joys that volunteering and talking to your grandparents or senior citizens can make.
To attain the Gold Award, Emma’s project was to raise awareness about eating disorders. After being inspired by a friend who had suffered from an eating disorder, Emma had created a video consisting of interviews from patients who were in recovery from their eating disorder. Emma had presented the video at various youth groups and schools as well as uploading the video to YouTube.
“Lauren and Emma have been awarded the highest honor in Girl Scouting and I believe it to be truly deserved,” said Presiding Officer Gonsalves. “Their projects have shown both the rewards of volunteering for our elderly and awareness of a disorder that afflicts so many. They exemplify the actions of community leaders and Gold Award recipients.”
Pictured (l-r): Gold Award Recipient Lauren Gemma, Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves and Gold Award Recipient Emma Stern.