October 20, 2017 (Denver, NC) ─ Two Girl Scouts poured their hearts and over 50 volunteer hours each into providing residents at Wexford House, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Denver, with a raised garden beds in which to grow flowers and vegetables. Members of Girl Scout Troop 20436 Madison File and Journey Barnes recently celebrated the completion of their silver award project along with some new friends whom they made in the process.

Pictured above are Madison and Journey with Wexford House resident Mandy Carver in front of one of the raised garden beds they built and Journey is shown accepting flowers from Wexford House resident Betty Griffin.

Originally, the girls had the idea of building birdhouses and working with residents to paint them, but upon visiting Wexford House, they discovered the birdhouses they’d built in in elementary school still on display and in use at the senior living community. Instead, they opted to build raised, accessible garden beds.

“It feels really good to know we had made such an impact on their lives,” said Madison. “I’m hoping I can go back ten years from now and still see it in use.”

Journey and Madison are pictured left with Wexford House residents William Legend, Nancy Killian, Carolyn McLean, Betty Griffin, Bernie Harris and Rick Taylor. The two scouts were able to get some of the supplies donated and received a discount on the plants from Sigmon Lawn and Garden Center, as well as assistance with building from their families. The scouts also researched on which types of flowers and vegetables thrive during the growing season in Denver that they documented in a book they presented to the residents. Troop Leader Lisa File said the support they received from the seniors at Wexford House made them feel appreciated.

“From getting us water to helping celebrate their achievement during the pinning ceremony, it meant the world to them and really touched all our hearts.”

For more information about Wexford House, please contact Administrator Chris Brown at (704) 489-2633, at cbrown@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.