Girl Scouts of Western New York is proud to announce Julia Sherwood of Williamsville, NY, as a 2021 Gold Award Girl Scout. Julia is from Troop 31363 and has been a member of Girl Scouts for 12 years.

What Julia said about Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts has surrounded me with inspiring female role models that have shown me what I can do to make a difference in my community. I have learned how to stand up for what I believe in, do my part to better the world around me, and give back to the community that has done so much for me. Girl Scouting has given me a family no matter where I go.

Project: Healing Stitch by Stitch

I sewed pajama pants, pillows, and masks for the surgical patients at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. I also wrote notes to all of the patients and made pockets in the pillows to put them in. I knew being in the hospital is uncomfortable and scary, so I wanted to add comfort to their situation. I wanted them to know someone was thinking about them and rooting for their recovery.

I completed this project during the COVID-19 pandemic, so finding materials was difficult. I relied on my family to help me order thread, fleece, and needles. I made five different sized pants in various patterns and colors with pillows that matched the pattern. I started making the masks when schools and businesses first shut down, and material ran out at stores and online.

I used this project as an opportunity to educate others as well. I taught my family and friends how to cut out patterns and put stuffing in the pillows. I was unable to hand deliver to the patients, but I am so glad I was able to make a difference in their life.

About the Gold Award

The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into “going for the Gold.” A Girl Scout’s project should be something that a girl can be passionate about—in thought, deed, and action that encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking skills. The project should also fulfill a need within a girl’s community (whether local or global) and create change that has the potential to be on-going or sustainable. Approximately 80 hours of community service are involved in the project. Completion of the Gold Award also qualifies the Girl Scout for special scholarship opportunities and she can enlist in the military at a higher starting pay grade.

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious award in the world for girls, acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making the world a better place for others. These young women are courageous leaders and visionary change makers.

The Gold Award requires a Girl Scout to identify an issue and investigate it to understand what can be done to address the problem. The girl then forms a team to act as a support system, including a project advisor close to the issue who is not a troop leader or family member, while she leads the project. The Girl Scout creates a plan to ensure they know what steps they must tackle while working on the project. The Girl Scout submits a proposal for her project to her local Girl Scout council. After acceptance, the girl begins to work through the steps of their plan utilizing the assistance of her support team where necessary. Lastly, the project is used to educate and inspire others about the cause they are addressing.

For more information on the Gold Award, click here.