Girl Scout Troop gets high honors for project

Tara Shoemaker, left, and Sarah Reaves look over recipes gathered by their Girl Scout troop.

SIKESTON - Girl Scout Troop 338 of the Cotton Boll Six Star unit is slated to receive high honors for their project dedicated to improving the quality of life for those undergoing dialysis treatment.

"They go to Kennett May 5 to receive the Gold Award which is the highest award for Girl Scouts," said Debbie Shoemaker, who leads the troop along with Brenda Chasteen and Janie Thurman.

Shoemaker explained the dialysis unit was chosen as a focus for their project so the troop could provide moral support and show the dialysis patients someone cared about them.

The project, which the troop started back in August, was divided into segments with each girl committing a minimum of 50 hours. "This has been a long project for them," said Shoemaker. "They've worked on this all year."

Among the first steps was getting permission from Missouri Delta Medical Center and Girl Scout officials to proceed with the project.

The scouts then visited the dialysis unit Sept. 24 where they learned a typical dialysis patient goes through dialysis three times per week with each session lasting about four hours.

Other parts of the project included sending birthday, Christmas and Valentine's Day cards to patients; decorating, baking and making crafts for the holidays; and bringing magazines for the dialysis waiting room.

The project culminated with the publication of a special cookbook, which was finished in late March, and special spice packets.

Tara Shoemaker and Sarah Reaves compiled the cookbook using recipes gathered for the dialysis patients. Included is vital diabetic information such as an analysis of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, sodium and phosphorus.

Over 100 cookbooks were produced - one for each dialysis patient as well as some extra copies.

With approximately 70 dialysis patients, Whitney Chasteen and Ashley Thurman assembled 210 spice packets so each of them would have a set of three. All the patient has to do is add the main ingredients and follow the directions included on the spice packet for their choice of three recipes.

Karen Brown, dietician at MDMC, assisted the troop by providing essential dietary information. "We couldn't have done the project without her," said Shoemaker.

Brenda Chasteen said while members have come and gone, the four participants all joined the troop as "Daisies" in kindergarten and have remained faithful Girl Scouts for 12 years.