Girl Scouts Give Ocean's Harbor House Backyard A Makeover

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — A group of Girl Scouts from Ocean County put their skills and their kindness to work for a project they titled "Backyard Beautification," creating a beautiful, functional space at Ocean's Harbor House, as they pursue their Silver Awards.

The four Scouts from Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Shore Pines Troop 50015 put the finishing touches on their project and had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and barbecue to show off the project on July 8.

The four girls — Kate, Bailey, Emily and Josie — each tackled different elements of the project, according to troop leader Denise O'Brien.

"As a team, these brilliant, hard-working, creative, inspiring young ladies transformed the property at Ocean’s Harbor House into a breathtaking, functional space," she said.

Kate's project was a deck the residents can use to enjoy the scenic view of the property. She also collected plastics and passed the word about how recycling plastics can have a huge impact on the environment and community in which they live. The plastics she collected were sent to Trex, and a free bench was earned through their community recycling program. The bench was placed by one of the kindness rock gardens created by Bailey. Kate, who spent 80 hours on her part, also put up bird feeders to teach compassion for anxiety and the values of empathy, love, and caring.

Bailey created two kindness rock gardens, with rocks painted with kind and positive messages. She also spread awareness throughout the community about the importance of positivity and kindness. She spent 69 hours on her part of the project.

Emily collected over 185 bags of leaves and throughout a six-week process brought them to the Ocean County Recycling Center, where they take it and turn it into free mulch for county residents. She also made flower beds and vegetable gardens that the residents maintain. Flowers planted throughout the project create calmness and peace. Emily logged 75 hours on her part.

Gardens have been shown to reduce stress and depression, as well as promote productivity, and boost ability to focus and concentrate.

Josie created a community resource book and QR code that local nonprofits will utilize for Ocean and Monmouth counties. It contains a list of food pantries, soup kitchens, pay-it-forward restaurants, where and how and where affordable health care can be accessed. It also has simple, affordable delicious recipes that can be made from pantry items. She also collected various donated craft items and items that inspire positivity to make a zen zone and repurposed a bookshelf to create this balanced space. She spent 131 hours working on her piece of the project.

The girls began planning it last fall after a visit to JBJ Soul Kitchen in Toms River, a community restaurant that serves both paying customers and those in need. At JBJ Soul Kitchen the girls met Joanne Gwin, the community coordinator, who explained to the Scouts about the need in the community for meals, resources, and basic needs, O'Brien said.

They also learned about the obstacles nonprofits face and the rules nonprofits must follow.

"That inspired the girls to start researching where they could make a lasting difference," O'Brien said.

"They chose Harbor House after dropping off Thanksgiving meals and seeing that the property desperately needed a makeover," she said. "They knew that the residents were young people, some the same age as themselves. They wanted to make an outdoor and indoor space that would benefit them physically, mentally and to know nothing is impossible."

"The Girl Scouts of Troop 50015 would like to thank the following: JBJ Soul Kitchen, Ocean County Library - Manchester, Joel E. Perlmutter Memorial Food Pantry at The Barn, Fulfill, Saker Shoprites Inc., Lowe’s, and CG Tax, Audit & Advisory for all their support and donations," O'Brien said.

"A huge shout out to their fellow Girl Scout Makayla, whose assistance and determination motivated us to put forth our best effort. Most importantly they’d like to thank Scott and all the staff and residents from Ocean’s Harbor House for making them realize the impossible is always possible with the support of your community.