In a remarkable display of community spirit and a shared passion for reading, three young Girl Scouts—Lauren Mendoza, Ava Firnkoess, and Jillian Mendoza—have spearheaded an initiative to build and install library boxes in local parks. Their efforts aim to foster literacy and provide free access to books for residents of all ages.
Lauren Mendoza, a fourth grader working towards her Bronze Award, chose to create a library box for her favorite park, Fitness Park. Avid about reading, Lauren's goal was to share her love for books with her community. She designed and constructed a library box, where visitors can take or leave books, ensuring a steady flow of reading material. To further emphasize the importance of reading, Lauren created a pamphlet detailing the cognitive, emotional, and educational benefits of regular reading.
Inspired by Lauren’s project, eighth graders Ava Firnkoess and Jillian Mendoza decided to undertake their own take-action projects. They aimed to extend the reach of community libraries to two additional parks.
Ava Firnkoess has a long-standing connection with the Veterans Wall of Freedom Park, having volunteered there since she was a Brownie Girl Scout in the first grade. Over the years, Ava has grown to deeply respect veterans, contributing significantly to the park by purchasing plaques for 26 elderly veterans from Vista Blue Mountain in 2021 and continuing to honor veterans with plaques funded by her Girl Scout Cookie sales. Ava chose to place her library box at the Veterans Wall of Freedom Park, hoping that both the youth and veterans visiting the park would find joy and solace in the books available.
Jillian Mendoza selected Richard Rollins Park for her library box. This park holds a special place in her heart, as she spent many nights there playing soccer. Jillian wanted to bring books to the park where children frequently gather, hoping to inspire a love for reading among young athletes and their families.
The girls' inspiration partly stemmed from their own experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools were shut down, their Girl Scout troop and friends would meet at Richard Rollins Park to read and discuss books together. These gatherings, held on blankets in the outdoors, reinforced their love for reading and sparked the idea to bring books to the park.
To bring their vision to life, the girls approached the Home Depot on Hospitality Lane with their project proposal. Home Depot generously funded the project and provided a master builder, Kris Sheehe, to work with the girls over a weekend to construct the library houses. Melissa Johnson from Home Depot also played a crucial role in supporting the initiative.
All three girls are passionate readers who got their start at Terrace View Elementary School, excelling in the accelerated reading program. Over the years, they have been recognized as “Million Word Readers,” a testament to their dedication to literacy.
The efforts of Lauren Mendoza, Ava Firnkoess, and Jillian Mendoza highlight the positive impact that young individuals can have on their communities. By creating and installing library boxes in local parks, these Girl Scouts are not only promoting literacy but also fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Their dedication to bringing the joy of reading to others is an inspiration, demonstrating that with passion and commitment, even small projects can make a significant difference.