Morton Grove Action Party Supports Local Girl Scout
Morton Grove, IL, September 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Action Party of Morton Grove, a grassroots Morton Grove-based political party, has lent its support to a local Girl Scout who is working toward obtaining the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.
Eighteen year-old Elise Toth is in her twelfth year as a Girl Scout. She belongs to Troop 1006, based out of Morton Grove/Niles, which is part of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana council. Toth is currently working toward her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award for girls in Girl Scouting. The requirements for the Girl Scout Gold Award include efficient organization, time management, and leadership skills resulting in a 65-hour community service project. Only about five percent of Girl Scouts nationally achieve this award each year.
For her community service project, Toth chose to educate the public about shelter dogs and why it is important to consider adoption when a family is ready for a pet. Toth was spurred to begin her project after seeing numerous media reports about the dramatic increase of owner-surrendered dogs at animal shelters across the country.
“The current state of the economy has caused some families to give up their once beloved dogs because of their inability to care for them. Yet our society is also bombarded with images of celebrities and their designer dogs,” Toth explained. “It got me to thinking. There are so many lovable dogs waiting in shelters to find their forever homes. Maybe I could somehow get involved on a local level and spread the word that shelter dogs are not all mean and scary. They’re just victims of circumstance.” Her own exposure to the adoption process (her family includes two adopted beagles) left Toth eager to devote her energy by volunteering weekly at a local no-kill animal shelter while she spreads the word about shelter dogs.
The Action Party of Morton Grove gave Toth an opportunity to set up an information table at its annual picnic, held at the Morton Grove Civic Center on August 16, 2009. Toth educated picnic attendees on shelter dogs with both visual and verbal presentations. In addition, at the Action Party’s monthly meeting in July, Toth asked Action Party members for donations of household items that are used on a daily basis at Heartland Animal Shelter in suburban Northbrook, the shelter at which she volunteers.
“Since Heartland is a private animal shelter, it relies on monetary donations to stay operational. The shelter has a ‘wish-list’ of things used every day -- like antibacterial soap, paper towels, etc. – that I am collecting to help the shelter as they care for the dogs,” Toth said. Bins set up at the picnic were filled to overflowing as Action Party members donated items such as bath towels, aluminum foil, dish soap, bleach, hand sanitizer, and paper towels. Toth reports that she was overwhelmed at the response. “The donations filled up my entire car,” she said.
At the picnic, Toth also displayed a large basket she put together filled with dog-related scrapbooking items which she hoped to raffle off. “My goal was to purchase a gift card from a pet supply store using the proceeds from the raffle, and donate it to the shelter for any dog food or treats they may need.” Village of Morton Grove Trustee John Thill was the winner of the raffle basket. Raffle proceeds allowed Toth to purchase a $50 gift card.
Action Party President Mark V. Matz praised Toth for her organizational skills and commitment to her project. “The Action Party applauds young people like Elise for stepping up in their community to make a difference. We support her efforts because she displays Action Party qualities like dedication and leadership.”
The Action Party, a grassroots Morton Grove-based political party, prides itself in the fact that its members are non-partisan – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – who are dedicated to providing the Village of Morton Grove with experienced, independent, and dedicated leadership.
Interested residents are encouraged to attend the Action Party’s monthly meetings. The organization meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at a local Morton Grove Park District fieldhouse. Information about upcoming meetings and events can be found on the Action Party’s website at: www.actionparty.org, or on its Facebook page: Action Party of Morton Grove.
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Eighteen year-old Elise Toth is in her twelfth year as a Girl Scout. She belongs to Troop 1006, based out of Morton Grove/Niles, which is part of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana council. Toth is currently working toward her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award for girls in Girl Scouting. The requirements for the Girl Scout Gold Award include efficient organization, time management, and leadership skills resulting in a 65-hour community service project. Only about five percent of Girl Scouts nationally achieve this award each year.
For her community service project, Toth chose to educate the public about shelter dogs and why it is important to consider adoption when a family is ready for a pet. Toth was spurred to begin her project after seeing numerous media reports about the dramatic increase of owner-surrendered dogs at animal shelters across the country.
“The current state of the economy has caused some families to give up their once beloved dogs because of their inability to care for them. Yet our society is also bombarded with images of celebrities and their designer dogs,” Toth explained. “It got me to thinking. There are so many lovable dogs waiting in shelters to find their forever homes. Maybe I could somehow get involved on a local level and spread the word that shelter dogs are not all mean and scary. They’re just victims of circumstance.” Her own exposure to the adoption process (her family includes two adopted beagles) left Toth eager to devote her energy by volunteering weekly at a local no-kill animal shelter while she spreads the word about shelter dogs.
The Action Party of Morton Grove gave Toth an opportunity to set up an information table at its annual picnic, held at the Morton Grove Civic Center on August 16, 2009. Toth educated picnic attendees on shelter dogs with both visual and verbal presentations. In addition, at the Action Party’s monthly meeting in July, Toth asked Action Party members for donations of household items that are used on a daily basis at Heartland Animal Shelter in suburban Northbrook, the shelter at which she volunteers.
“Since Heartland is a private animal shelter, it relies on monetary donations to stay operational. The shelter has a ‘wish-list’ of things used every day -- like antibacterial soap, paper towels, etc. – that I am collecting to help the shelter as they care for the dogs,” Toth said. Bins set up at the picnic were filled to overflowing as Action Party members donated items such as bath towels, aluminum foil, dish soap, bleach, hand sanitizer, and paper towels. Toth reports that she was overwhelmed at the response. “The donations filled up my entire car,” she said.
At the picnic, Toth also displayed a large basket she put together filled with dog-related scrapbooking items which she hoped to raffle off. “My goal was to purchase a gift card from a pet supply store using the proceeds from the raffle, and donate it to the shelter for any dog food or treats they may need.” Village of Morton Grove Trustee John Thill was the winner of the raffle basket. Raffle proceeds allowed Toth to purchase a $50 gift card.
Action Party President Mark V. Matz praised Toth for her organizational skills and commitment to her project. “The Action Party applauds young people like Elise for stepping up in their community to make a difference. We support her efforts because she displays Action Party qualities like dedication and leadership.”
The Action Party, a grassroots Morton Grove-based political party, prides itself in the fact that its members are non-partisan – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – who are dedicated to providing the Village of Morton Grove with experienced, independent, and dedicated leadership.
Interested residents are encouraged to attend the Action Party’s monthly meetings. The organization meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at a local Morton Grove Park District fieldhouse. Information about upcoming meetings and events can be found on the Action Party’s website at: www.actionparty.org, or on its Facebook page: Action Party of Morton Grove.
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Contact
Action Party of Morton Grove
Terri Cousar
847.638.2706
actionparty.org
6749 Dempster Street, #121
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Terri Cousar
847.638.2706
actionparty.org
6749 Dempster Street, #121
Morton Grove, IL 60053
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