Community Corner

Academy Street Girl Scouts Bake in Honor of Classmates

Troop 86 baked desserts for the families staying at The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

The girls of Junior Girl Scout Troop 86, all students at , recently donated homemade baked goods to the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park as a way of thanking the facility and its staff for their kind treatment of their two classmates and families, who have stayed at the house.

Brainstorming the idea on their own, the girl scouts decided to volunteer their time to bake desserts for the families who use the house to give back to the facility in honor of their classmates, who are fighting life threatening illnesses. 

Troop leaders Christine Wellisch Grahn and Diana Fish are proud of the girls for this act of volunteerism and compassion. "Our girls wanted to do something nice for the families who struggle everyday with their children's illnesses," Grahn said, noting the girls baked items such as banana bread, cup cakes, cookies, brownies and made a fruit bowl.

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The families at the house spoke of how much they appreciated the effort the girls made to make the lives of those who have a sick child just a little sweeter.  "One father said that he hasn't had a homemade cookie in months," Grahn said.

Grahn's daughter Lilianna emphasized how good it felt to give to families going through a hard time, "It was nice to see that we were able to put a smile on someone's face."

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The reaction of the families sent a powerful message to the girls, and they now plan on collecting items that the Ronald McDonald House needs on a daily basis, such as tooth brushes, wipes, soap and other items.

Fish's daughter Grace echoed the sentiments of her fellow girl scout. "I was happy to go to the Ronald McDonald House to make desserts for the families there.  I hope that the desserts bring some happiness to the families and help them lift their spirits so that they can stay strong for their sick child," she said.

Girl scout Isabella Imbo even used the recipe given to her by one of the girls with an illness they baked in honor of, she said, "I enjoyed making yummy peanut butter cookies with my troop for all of the families staying at the house."

According to the website, The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a 42 bedroom facility located on the campus of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, adjacent to Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park. 

The first house opened in Oct. 1974, thanks to Fred Hill, a former Philadelphia Eagles football player. After Hill's daughter Kim was treated for Leukemia, he and his teammates were determined to do something to benefit families of hospitalized children. The players teamed up with Philadelphia area McDonald's restaurant owners, and together raised enough money to build the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Click here to find out more about donating to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.


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