Girl Scout’s project starts 'store’ for homeless shelter

A Girl Scout’s service project has transformed three second-story rooms in a local church into a store for residents of a homeless shelter for families.

Nash Central High School senior Elizabeth Casey, 17, chose as her Gold Star Project to renovate three Sunday School rooms at the Second Presbyterian Church into a “department store” for Bassett Center residents, where they will be able to exchange vouchers earned at the center for clothes, toys and household goods.

“We worked with (the Bassett Center) before, and they gave us a place to use through the church,” Casey said. “It was something in the community that needed to be done, and we were the ones to do it. It was very rewarding.”

Casey enlisted the help of her family and friends in performing the renovations, with the group putting in about 500 hours to complete the work.

“It was really cool to work with my family and friends – it was a bonding experience,” Casey said. “It would have taken years to do it by myself.”

Girl Scouts must spend at least 70 hours in the planning and completion of a project to earn a Gold Award.

Girl Scouts must earn bronze and silver awards before they are eligible to earn a Gold Award – the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.

Casey spent about 150 hours working on the project, said her mother, Pam.

“The rooms were in terrible disarray when we first saw them, and we have watched them transform.” Pam Casey said.

An open house is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. to unveil the new store and officially hand it over to Bassett Center officials at noon Sunday at the church at 1200 Old Wilson Road.

“She has worked very hard and is quite excited to be able to turn the store over to the Bassett Center on (Sunday).

“It is wonderful to see a young person so excited about assisting their community.”