Pleasanton Girl Scouts Deliver 'Blankets Made With Love' to Homeless in San Francisco

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

A Pleasanton Girl Scout troop recently delivered warmth in the form of handmade fleece blankets to the homeless community in San Francisco. The members of Girl Scout Troop #32815 use the funds generated from their annual cookie sales to give back to the community each spring. This year, the money raised was used to buy fleece fabric to make 12 large blankets, according to Rocio DeRodriguez, who is the mother of one of the troop members.

DeRodriguez said each blanket was rolled up and placed in a canvas bag with a handwritten note that said, “To a deserving person! This blanket was made with love. Pass the kindness forward. From Girl Scout Troop 32815.”

On April 12, the sun was out and the weather was in the 70s when the girls traveled to San Francisco to deliver the blankets and healthy lunches (complete with Girl Scout cookies) they had each made. But even during the warmer months in the Bay Area, temperatures still drop to a chilly 50 degrees outside at night.

“The Girl Scouts, along with several parents, traveled together via the SF Ferry service to the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco because we wanted to give them the opportunity to see the end result of their efforts,” DeRodriguez said. “The girls were able to offer their blankets and lunches directly to those in need.”

After delivering the blankets and lunches, Camille Rodriguez said, ”That felt SO good!”

DeRodriguez said the recipients were very grateful to receive the donations.

“The girls were touched to see many of them unrolling their blankets and enjoying their homemade lunches,” she said.

One of the recipients was especially grateful, and upon receipt of her new green blanket, she clutched it to her like a little girl hugging a teddy bear.

“The video we took created such an awareness of the numerous homeless people that we were surrounded by and how invisible they can be when you are not thinking about them,” DeRodriguez commented.

The Cadette level troop has been together for five years and is comprised of 12 girls including: Aly Lam, Alyssa Camacho, Camille Rodriguez, Emily Micco, Haley Kolon, Isabella LoConte, Kaylee Bulat, Rachel Herrick, Ria Patel, Sarah Fleming, Savina Deleo and Sydney Cohen. The troop is lead by Darci Camacho and Terri Kolon.

DeRodriguez says in the past, the girls have collected items for a shelter, helped the Valley Humane Society and volunteered at a senior center.

Photos, video courtesy Rocio DeRodriguez