Brownie troop reaches out, helps kids in Landmark's emergency room

2009-06-15

From Page 1 of The Call
June 15, 2009 

Accepting a donation from Brownie Troop 352 is Maryanne Harmsen of Landmark Medical Center. Brownies are from L to R: Talia Williams, Haley Leclerc, Alexis DeSimone, Chloe Reeve, Christianna Godin, Erin McGuire, Jessica Santoro, Sofia Faria, Kailey Savaria and Gianna Fontaine.

As part of Woonsocket Brownie Troop 352's Brownie Quest to become leaders, the troop's outreach to the community involved extending a helping hand to Landmark Medical Center and children in the community who find themselves in the hospital's emergency room.

Recently, Troop 352 - 10 girls, ages 7 - 9, wrote a letter to Landmark President Richard Charest advising him that they wanted to help sick children at the hospital. Charest responded and was happy to accept the girls' offer to help, but explained to them that since Landmark is not a pediatric hospital there are not many children who stay overnight in the hospital. However, he told the girls that Landmark often treats children in the emergency room.

The girls collected crayons, coloring books, stickers and fun band-aids for these children and also decided to take $200 of their troop funds to donate to the Friends of Landmark Annual Fund Campaign.

On June 3, the girls had their end-of-year Brownie Ceremony and were pleased to have Maryanne Harmsen, vice president of marketing and business development, attend. Harmsen was happy to accept the girls' donation to Landmark Medical Center.

"These young girls really showed their leadership by reaching out to the hospital and their community," said Troop Leader Sue McGuire. "Together as a team they became leaders on a mission to help a cause that was important to each of them - their Friends at Landmark Medical Center and the small patients that Landmark helps day after day."