China Area girl scouts are, front row, from left to right, Brownies and Daisies Riley Libby, Camille Rines, Colette Cobb, Anahlise Raymond, Lyrah Raymond, Ayla Garnett, and Elyse Martin. Back row, Juniors Willow Sullivan, Carden Cobb, Madi Pomelo, and Cora Sullivan. (contributed photo)

In October of 2023 China Area Girl Scout Troop #1496 voted on areas of interest to explore as a year project. Animals won the vote. The scouts learned about the in-progress building of the new Kennebec Valley Humane Society facility. After reaching out to the Director Hillary Roberts, the troop decided a group to bring supplies needed to stock the shelves of the new facility which was set to open in early 2024.

The troop read through the wishlist of the Humane Society found on Amazon. The girls were promised an in-depth tour of the facility at the time they dropped off the supplies.

The troop made up of 11 girls ages six to 12 decided together to make individual crafts with their own families to earn money to buy supplies for the humane society. The troop reached out to Meg Randazza, organizer of the 44th annual China Maine Craft Fair. Meg provided the girls with a booth space to set out their handmade crafts which included jewelry, Christmas ornaments and decorations, beaded key chains, primitive decor, weaved decorations, and candle centerpieces.

Without putting a price on the crafts made, and having customers choose the price for each sale, the girls earned $674 for the humane society.

The girls then individually chose items they wanted to order for the animal in need in our area. These items included kitten formula, dog and cat food, blankets, laundry soap, puppy and kitten feeding bottlers, leashes, small animal chew toys, a cat stuffed animal with a heart beat for orphan kittens.

Before delivering the supplies the girls hand sewed over 20 cat nip filled baby socks to donate as well.

They were given a tour by Volunteer Manager Allie McCarthy this spring and were able to see over 40 cats, 20 dogs, two chinchillas, and two rats that will benefit from these supplies, and also six orphan kittens being fostered who need more kitten formula.