The public is invited to attend the annual Girl Scout’s emergency komfort giveaway at 6 p.m. Thursday at Licking United Methodist Church.
Girl Scouts members bring stuffed toys and quilts (including blankets, afghans and throws) to be donated to various area emergency personnel. The stuffed toys are given to children at accident scenes to help provide them a sense of comfort — something to hold and love on in a stressful time. Last year, 200 stuffed animals and about 150 quilts were donated.
Emergency personnel that receive the items include the Licking Police Department, Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Houston EMS and various fire departments, including Licking, Raymondville, Edgar Springs, Roby and Houston. In addition, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Ronald McDonald House have been invited to come and share in the donations this year.
Representatives from Missouri Division of Family Services will also be on hand to receive wrapped Christmas gifts to distribute to the area’s needy children. Each year, area troops come together to have a fall party, and the price of admission is a wrapped Christmas gift for a child. Last year, there were 98 gifts donated.
“I would love for the public to come and see this event for themselves,” said Sarah Reese, service unit manager of 13 area troops. “So many people think of Girl Scouts, and all they think we do is sell cookies. We do sell cookies but we are about so much more.”