Working Together to Make the World a Better Place

Guide for Junior Girl Scouts

© Leonard Brzezinski, 2009

CONTENTS Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Introduction

Contents

Junior Girl Scout Program Overview…...…………………………………………………….4 What is My New Red Shoes? ………………………………………………………………….…5 A Very Special Gift Bag…………………………………………………………………………….…6 What Can Juniors Do to Help?……………...……………………………………………………7 Additional Activities by Award……………………………………………………………………8 Agent of Change Companion Guide...…..…………………………………………………10

Discover & Connect What is Homelessness?……………………………………………………………………….....12 The Face of Homelessness………………………………………………………………………13 Decisions, Decisions...………………………………………………………………………….....15 Real Kids, True Stories………………………………………………………………………….....17

Service Projects Collect Shoes……………………………………………………………………………………………20 Sew Back-to-School Gift Bags…..…………………………….………………………………..21 Make “First Day” Cards….………………………………………………………….…………….23

Bronze Award Ideas…………………………….……………………………30 Additional Materials Love Letters... ………………………………………………………………………………………….32 Inspire Your Cookie Customers …………………….………………………………………….36 Parent/Guardian Information Sheet…………….…………………………………………..37 For More Information ……………………..………….…………………………………………..38

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© Leo na rd Brz ezinsk i, 201 1

Introduction ut o c irl S nly! G For iors O Jun

3

Junior Girl Scout Program Overview Introduction

Discover shoes Learn why school clothing and need are so important for children in these and how confidence can help life! children excel in school — and

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Junior Girl Scout Program Overview

Get energize d about help ing and inspire others in your commu nity to join the moveme nt to give hom eless and low-income ch ildren confide nce at school.

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Take Actio n

Collect shoes, make first da y cards, sew b ack-to-schoo l g if t bags, host ba ck-to-school parties and invo lve younger Girl Scouts. Disco ver ways to make your a ctivities long lasting.

Connect

=

Leadership Take these steps and YOU can empower girls and boys in our community to succeed at school and in life… making the world a better place!

Check out www.mynewredshoes.org for  My New Red Shoes Participation Patch  News about special Girl Scout volunteer opportunities  Information about how to become part of our C4C Club  And more!

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What is My New Red Shoes? Introduction

The Basics My New Red Shoes helps homeless and low-income children look and feel confident at the start of the school year by providing them with clothing gift cards and new shoes.

What is My New Red Shoes?

How it Started It all started in 2006 when Heather, a former Girl Scout and now Daisy troop leader, heard a story from her mother about growing up poor and feeling ashamed of what she had to wear on the first day of school. Heather rallied local Girl Scout troops, students and anyone else who wanted to help to clothe 354 children for school that year. In its first five years, My New Red Shoes distributed over 11,000 clothing and shoe gift bags to homeless and low-income children in the San Francisco Bay Area. Now that’s the power of community!

Heathe r and he r mom

in 1987

.

The Impact

ard Br © Leon

ki zezi ns

2010

The simple gift of clothing and shoes can make an incredible difference in the life of a homeless or poor child. Because their families often can’t afford to buy clothes and shoes, these children attend school in hand-me-down or donated clothes that don’t fit, aren’t comfortable, don’t suit their style, or are for the wrong season (like wearing shorts in the wintertime). When kids get the clothes and shoes they need to feel good and make a good first impression at school, they get to class more often, find it easier to make friends, are more comfortable at recess, and do better in school...and in life!

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A Very Special Gift Bag Introduction

Each child My New Red Shoes serves receives a special, back-to-school gift bag including the contents below. Girl Scouts and other community members all pitch in to make this a gift to remember.

A brand new pair of shoes

A Very Special Gift Bag

A $50 clothing gift card so kids can go back-to-school shopping

Made with Love Annie by___________ Happy First Day of School!

All packaged in a handmade gift bag sewn by volunteers

Good

A little “something special” like an accessory or school supply to make this an extra-special gift.

luck

at sch

ool!

A handmade “first day” card wishing the children well on their first day of school.

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What Can Juniors Do to Help?

Check?

What Can Juniors Do to Help?

Activity

For More Information

Collect shoes

Page 20

Sew back-to-school gift bags

Page 23

Make “first day” cards

Page 25

Volunteer at My New Red Shoes’ warehouse

Contact [email protected]

Donate cookie or fall sales funds

Page 36 and contact [email protected]

Host a back-to-school party

Contact [email protected]

Collect fabric for back-toschool gift bags

Contact [email protected]

It’s Your Story — Tell it! Inspire others to get involved

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Introduction

My New Red Shoes depends on Girl Scouts and others in our community to help us fulfill our mission. Use this checklist to learn how you and other Girl Scout Juniors can help today!

Send stories and pictures of your troop’s activities to My New Red Shoes. We’d love to hear about how you made a difference!

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Additional Activities by Award Introduction

Award

Activities Check out page 27 of this guide for ideas about earning your Bronze Award with My New Red Shoes.

Additional Activities by Award

Don’t miss My New Red Shoes’ Agent of Change Companion Guide! Download it at www.mynewredshoes.org.

Drawing Badge, Step 4: Draw a logo that represents the work of My New Red Shoes, our partnership with the Girl Scouts, or a Take Action project you or another Girl Scout has done for our organization and we will use it to inspire others to join in and make the world a better place!

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Savvy Shopper Badge Step 5: Make the world a better place by using your cookie money to purchase shoes for homeless and low-income children or donate funds to My New Red Shoes so we can give children discounted clothing gift cards that will allow them to go back-toschool shopping. Use the Cookie Customer information sheet on page 32 to let people know how they empower girls with their purchase of every box!

For More Information... ...on the opportunities above or on the following page, please contact My New Red Shoes’ Manager of Community Outreach and Education at: [email protected] or (650) 375-2648.

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Award

Activities

Introduction

Digital Photographer: Make the work of My New Red Shoes the subject of your digital photo project. We would love to see what you create and use it to inspire others to Take Action!

Additional Activities by Award

Scribe: Write a poem or article about your work with My New Red Shoes, why you’re inspired to help, or what we do. We will share your words with others to inspire them to make the world a better place.

Simple Meals Badge, Step 4: Create a new or healthy dessert to serve up at a My New Red Shoes Girl Scout event or other volunteer event or cook up something special for a Back-to-School Party for the homeless and low-income children we serve.

For More Information... ...on the opportunities above or on the previous page, please contact My New Red Shoes’ Manager of Community Outreach and Education at: [email protected] or (650) 375-2648.

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Agent of Change Companion Guide Introduction

Are you getting ready to embark on your Agent of Change leadership journey? Let My New Red Shoes join you along the way! Our Companion Guide will give you even more fun ideas about how to Discover, Connect, and Take Action the My New Red Shoes Way! Download the guide from My New Red Shoes’ Junior Girl Scout page at www.mynewredshoes.org and help homeless and low-income girls start off the school year confident and ready to learn!

Agent of Change Companion Guide

AGENT of Change Companion Guide

C4C Club My New Red Shoes

Take Action with My New Red Shoes!

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Discover & Connect ing h t lo C s? y Wh Shoe and

© Le

onard Brzez inski, 2

011

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What is Homelessness? Discover

Homelessness Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Confidence Paper Dolls is Homelessness? Clothing Whatfor

Someone who doesn’t have a home is often called “homeless.” Anybody can become homeless: it doesn’t matter if you are young or old, a boy or a girl, or live in a city or suburb. People who are homeless have names, families, things they like to do, foods they like to eat, and games they like to play – just like you! But being homeless is hard! Families who are homeless often have to live in their cars, motels or in homeless shelters where they may have to share an apartment with another family. Imagine how difficult it would be trying to get ready for school, do your homework, or invite friends over if you didn’t have a room or home to call your own. What else would be challenging if you were homeless?

Why? Many people without homes have a job and go to work, but they just don’t make enough money to pay for a place to live. Other families become homeless because they lose their job, have an expensive medical emergency that makes it impossible to pay their rent, or because they’re running away from a difficult or abusive relationship at home. Families with young children are the fastest growing group of homeless people. It can be hard to make enough money to buy everything that a young, growing family needs!

Homeless Shelters My New Red Shoes partners with family homeless shelters to find children in need of clothing and shoes. A homeless shelter is a place people can stay temporarily if they don’t have anywhere else to go. Some shelters only let families stay for the night, while others allow families to stay for three months to a year. Shelters can be one large room with bunk beds or can look like apartment buildings. Shelters often also provide other services to families staying there, such as meals, childcare, job training, support groups, and therapy.

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The Face of Homelessness Discover

1. 2. 4. 2. 5.

Do any of these girls look like someone who could go to your school? Do any of them remind you of somebody you know? What do you think you may have in common with these kids? Do any of these kids look like someone you would like to be friends with? Do you think any of these children look like they may be poor or homeless?

The Face of Homelessness

1

5

4 .

3

2

7

10

11

8

Photos © Leonard Brzezinsk

6

i, 2009-2011

9

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ge to Turn the pa learn more!

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Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Discover

oes. That g from My New Red Sh ba t gif a d ive ce re ge e previous pa girls may notice that these All of the children on th u Yo . or po ry ve or ss at one time homele means that they were are! ren. That’s because they look like “normal” child

Homeless and very poor children are actually a lot like you! Can you think of some of the many ways in which you may be alike? The list is started below. What are a few other things you think you have in common with the children My New Red Shoes serves?

The Face of Homelessness

Differenc

es

Similarities

1. The kid s that get bags from My New R ed Shoes may not otherwise have been able to afford n ew cloth es and shoes for school.

1. We both go to school. 2. We both enjoy hanging out with our friends. 2.

3. We both like to wear clothes that make us feel good at school. 4.

3. 4.

5.

5.

6. 7. 8. 9.

6. 7. 8. 9.

Were you surprised at the number of similarities or differences in your lists? Are poor and homeless children more or less like you than you thought before completing this exercise?

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Decisions, Decisions... Discover

Many of the families My New Red Shoes helps during the back-toschool season face very difficult choices about how to spend their money. Imagine your income was $2,500 a month. What decisions would you make to support a four-person family? On the list below, place a “1” beside those items you believe would be most important to have, a “2” beside those items whose purchase may be important but could be put off until later, and a “3” next to those items your family could pass up. Add anything you think may be missing from the list. Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Decisions, Decisions...

Monthly Budget Importance

Item Rent for a two-bedroom apartment Monthly groceries Refrigerator repair bill Medicine for mom’s heart condition Movie for the whole family (tickets, popcorn, soda) Child’s basketball uniform Doctor bill for child’s ear infection Monthly public bus pass for one person Pizza dinner for the whole family Girl Scout Membership Dues Television and internet Car payment Monthly cell phone bill Gas Child’s art class Beach vacation School yearbook New shoes for school Work clothes for mom Water & electricity bill NetFlix account Birthday present and cake for child New outfit for the first day of school Piano lessons for a month College savings Retirement savings

Making the World a Better Place

Cost $1,700 $400 $65 $150 $60 $50 $200 $72 $45 $12 $50 $300 $40 $60 $50 $2,000 $20 $25 $150 $75 $15 $35 $40 $80 $100 $100

15

Now use the number “1” and “2” items from the previous page to create a monthly budget for your pretend family.

Discover

COST

ITEM

Food for Thought 

Decisions, Decisions...







What were the most expensive items you had to budget for? Were you surprised how little or how much you could buy with $2,500? What are some of the sacrifices you had to make when choosing what to buy? What couldn’t you afford that would be hard to live without?

Did You Know? 



TOTAL (must not exceed

In 2011, the go vernment determined that a fam ily of four was liv ing in poverty if they made $1,863 a month or less (that’s $637 less than your month ly budget for th is exercise!) 2 out of every 10 American ch ildren were living in poverty in 2010 .

$2,500)

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Real Kids, True Stories Discover

These are real pictures and stories of children My New Red Shoes has helped over the years.

ar,

Last ye gest of six children. un yo e th is th se Elizab dent. He became di ci ac r ca a in t go father

nski, 2011 © Leonard Brzezi

Real Kids, True Stories

r still Elizabeth’s k. Elizabeth’s mothe or w er ng lo no d ul rn enough abled and co ssible for her to ea po im as w it t bu b had a jo cially because Eliza pe es , ily m fa r he t tivities money to suppor lp with his daily ac he ed ed ne w no beth’s father . nger due to the accident other could no lo m ’s th be iza El , ly Eventual e into a family had to mov r he d an e m ho r proached, pay for thei first day of school ap e th As r. te el sh s ch homeles e-down clothes (whi -m nd ha r he at th d sisters Elizabeth worrie h five brothers and ug ro th n w do ed ss had been pa Elizabeth reher stick out. Then e ak m ld ou w r) oes he before from My New Red Sh g ba ft gi ol ho sc oought, ceived a back-t d new shoes. She th an br of ir pa r ve -e st with her fir !” She used ly am a big girl now al re I s; ce la ith w rm so “Shoes a brand new unifo y bu to rd ca ft gi r chilher Old Navy and new as the othe ht ig br as el fe d ul that she co dren in her class.

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

© Leonard Brzezinski, 2009

Wesley is the youn gest of eight childre n. Last summer, he and his family were living in a homeless shelter. Wesley hardly ev er gets anything th at has not been passed down throug h his brothers and sisters: he rides a bike that is too larg e, wears clothing th at is often too big and has been wor n by seven childre n be fore him, and often goes barefo ot. Whenever Wes ley plays on the playground at the shelter, he wears hi s sister’s bright pink flip-flops (the only shoes he has) . When My New Red Shoes gave W esley a clothing gi ft card and new shoes, he was so proud. He could ki ck a soccer ball so much better in hi s brand new snea ke rs than when he was wearing those pink flip flops!

*Note that photos may not correspond with stories and children’s names have been changed for privacy

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© Leonard Br zezinski, 2011

Discover

Last summer, 11 -year-old Mat thew was stayin father in a hom g with his eless shelter. Alt hough Matthew working hard to ’s father was earn enough m oney to buy a shoes for Matth ne w pair of ew’s first day of fifth grade, doin mean that Matth g so would ew and his dad would have to bu and other things y less food they really need ed for that mon My New Red Sh th. When oes gave Matth ew a back-to-sch with brand new ool gift bag shoes and a gift card to go shop Navy, he was no ping at Old t only able to st art off fifth grad ready to learn, e proud and he and his fath er could save th money for food eir precious and the other im portant things th to live. ey needed

© Leonard Brzezinski, 2011

Real Kids, True Stories

Twelve-year-old Veronica became homeless when her family could no longer afford their rising rent. The middle child, Veronica focused on making sure everyone else was okay when she and her three siblings relocated to the homeless shelter. She never complained about wearing her big sister’s hand-me-downs or spending her days after school babysitting her little sister. In fact, Veronica rarely drew any attention to herself. The day Veronica received her gift card from My New Red Shoes, she bubbled with excitement and immediately requested that her mother take her shopping. “Let’s do something fun for me,” she said.

When Veronica returned to the homeless shelter after her back-to-school shopping spree, this once quiet and reserved girl gave the shelter staff a fashion show. She was so proud of what she had chosen to wear for her first day of Junior High. “It was obvious that the new clothing made Veronica feel like she mattered,” a shelter staff member said. “When Veronica headed out the door later that week wearing her new outfit, her spirits were high, and she felt that no one mattered more than her.”

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© Leon ard Brz ezinski,

Service Projects

2009

Mak e th eW Bet orld ter a Plac e!

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Collect Shoes Service

Every year, My New Red Shoes collects hundreds of pairs of shoes from concerned kids like you! Tap into the power of community by leading a shoe drive at your school, place of worship or in your service unit or neighborhood.

Shoe Guidelineldrsen’s shoes that are: Collect Shoes

My New Red Shoes collects chi  BRAND NEW de. s kindergarten through 12th gra de gra ing ter en nts de stu Fit  dress-up shoes. ps), but not rain boots or fancy  Closed toed (not flip-flo e but In addition: st. Colors and patterns are fin be rk wo es sho ite wh r d/o an  Solid Black es. ns of primarily blue or red sho we strongly discourage donatio r donation if you h , but include the shoebox wit tag ce pri the ove rem ase Ple  possible.

Tips and Ideas 





Tell a story: Inspire generosity by sharing the photos and stories of children My New Red Shoes has served from this guide and our website. Set a goal: Would you like to collect enough shoes for all of the homeless kids in your town? In your county? Spread the word: Use posters, newsletters, fliers and emails to let your community know how they can help.

Got sh oes? Call (650 ) 375-26 48 ou

or treach @ myne w email to sched r e d sh o e s ule a dr .org op off.

Now that took moxie!

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Shoe Collection Form Service Shoe Collection Form

Shoe Collection Form

Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Our Troop: _________________________________________________________ (Number, Level, Service Unit) Number of girls participating: ______

Number of shoes collected: ______

Approximate number of hours (total) collecting shoes:___________ Leader Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________

Mail this form and your bags to: My New Red Shoes, 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110, Burlingame, CA 94010

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Shoe Donation Form My New Red Shoes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please complete this card and either return it to your Girl Scout troop or to the address below and My New Red Shoes will send you a tax receipt. Value of Donation: $____________ Date: ________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________________ State: ______ Zip: ____________ Phone: ________________________ Email: _______________________________________________

My New Red Shoes, 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110, Burlingame, CA 94010

Making the World a Better Place



Shoe Donation Form My New Red Shoes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please complete this card and either return it to your Girl Scout troop or to the address below and My New Red Shoes will send you a tax receipt. Value of Donation: $____________ Date: ________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________________ State: ______ Zip: ____________ Phone: ________________________ Email: _______________________________________________

My New Red Shoes, 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110, Burlingame, CA 94010

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Sew Back-to-School Gift Bags Service

Encourage homeless and low-income children to arrive at school proud and ready to learn while you perfect your sewing skills! If you don’t have experience using a sewing machine, please ask for help from an adult.

Sew Back-to-School Gift Bags

apped in special paper, Presents are usually wr tucked inside a colorful tied with a pretty bow, or oes’ back-to-school gifts gift bag. My New Red Sh of new shoes and clothare no different! Each set in an extra-special gift ing gift cards is packaged u! These bags help kids bag, sewn by kids like yo h a difficult time feel the who may be going throug ity. Knowing that somesupport of their commun d wishing them well on one is thinking of them an kes a big difference. their first day of school ma

Materials You Will Need         

Two yards of fabric for every three gift bags you will sew A sewing machine Pins Thread Scissors Ruler or yardstick “Made With Love” iron-on labels (provided by My New Red Shoes) Iron Permanent marker or pen

Use Resources Wisely A retired tablecloth, bed sheet or other large piece of fabric that is stain and tear free and in gift-quality condition is a great choice for the earth!

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How to Sew Gift Bags

Con

sid

era

te a

nd

Service

Car

ing

!

1. Cut a 44” x 17” piece of fabric for each gift bag. 2. Fold the fabric in half to make a 22” by 17” rectangle. 3. Pin the sides of the fabric to close the 17” sides of the bag. 4. Using a sewing machine, sew closed each side of the bag, leaving a 1/2-inch seam on each side. 5. Remove the pins and turn the bag inside out.

Sew Back-to-School Gift Bags

6. Set the iron to wool-cotton setting. 7. Place each “Made With Love” label glue side down, on the bottom, right corner of the gift bag. Iron the label firmly for 5 to 10 seconds. Do not use steam. 8. Sign the label with your name, using permanent marker. Fill out the Bag Completion Form below and send it to My New Red Shoes with your finished bags.



Back-to-School Gift Bag Completion Form Date: ________________________ Our Troop: _________________________________________________ (Number, Level, Service Unit) Number of girls participating: ____________ Number of gift bags: ______ Approximate number of hours (total) sewing these bags:___________ Leader Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: _____________________________________________

Mail this form and your bags to: My New Red Shoes, 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110, Burlingame, CA 94010

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Make “First Day” Cards Decorate “Happy First Day” Cards

Use the blank templates on the following pages to draw encouraging messages for the kids receiving brand new school clothing and shoes from My New Red Shoes.

Make “First Day” Cards

the first day of school. Think about how you feel on red? Anxious? What Are you nervous? Excited? Sca homeless and lowmessages could you send to the Shoes serves to help income children My New Red the school year? them feel better about starting

Please print your cards double-sided on white card-stock!

Tips and Ideas   

Keep the messages positive. Think about what you would want someone to say to you on the first day of school. Make it colorful and bright! Draw a picture, add stickers, glitter, or other happy images. Feel free to sign your name. The kids we serve like to know that real kids like them were thinking about them and wishing them well.

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26

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That little girl was my mother. Please use this gift card to buy something that will make you feel extra special on your first day of school. With love,

Founder, My New Red Shoes

That little girl was my mother.

Please use this gift card to buy something that will make you feel extra special on your first day of school.

With love,

Founder, My New Red Shoes

That little girl was my mother. Please use this gift card to buy something that will make you feel extra special on your first day of school. With love,

Founder, My New Red Shoes

That little girl was my mother.

Please use this gift card to buy something that will make you feel extra special on your first day of school.

With love,

Founder, My New Red Shoes

111 Anza Blvd, Suite 110 • Burlingame, CA 94010 www.mynewredshoes.org

There once was a little girl who hated the first day of school because she was so embarrassed by the clothes she had to wear. Every summer, she worried about returning to school and feeling “less than” the other kids in her class.

There once was a little girl who hated the first day of school because she was so embarrassed by the clothes she had to wear. Every summer, she worried about returning to school and feeling “less than” the other kids in her class.

111 Anza Blvd, Suite 110 • Burlingame, CA 94010 www.mynewredshoes.org

Dear Student,

Dear Student,

111 Anza Blvd, Suite 110 • Burlingame, CA 94010 www.mynewredshoes.org

There once was a little girl who hated the first day of school because she was so embarrassed by the clothes she had to wear. Every summer, she worried about returning to school and feeling “less than” the other kids in her class.

There once was a little girl who hated the first day of school because she was so embarrassed by the clothes she had to wear. Every summer, she worried about returning to school and feeling “less than” the other kids in her class.

111 Anza Blvd, Suite 110 • Burlingame, CA 94010 www.mynewredshoes.org

Dear Student,

Dear Student,

First Day Cards Completion Form Service First Day Cards Completion Form

First Day Cards Completion Form

Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________________ Our Troop: _________________________________________________________ (Number, Level, Service Unit) Number of girls participating: ______

Number of shoes collected: ______

Approximate number of hours (total) collecting shoes:___________ Leader Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________

Mail this form and your bags to: My New Red Shoes, 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110, Burlingame, CA 94010

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Bronze Award Ideas

e

Tak

ion t c A

!

© Leon ard Brzez inski, 20 11

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Bronze Award Ideas Bronze Award

Want to take your involvement one step further by earning your Bronze Award with My New Red Shoes? Here are a few ideas to get you started!

the Issues 1. Understands gui website so de and on My New Red Shoes’

Bronze Award Ideas

Review the information in thi questions: you can answer the following for school? help getting clothing and shoes 1. Why do some families need of a child make a difference in the life es sho d an ng thi clo w ne 2. How can t had any? who would have otherwise no

2. Pick a Project Here are a few suggestions to get you started:  Shoe drive or sewing party: Organize your troop, school, service unit, church or the larger community in a drive to collect new shoes or a gift-bag sewing party. Educate participants about the role of clothing and shoes in feeling confident and prepared for school.  Workshops: Lead younger Girl Scouts or other children in learning about the importance of clothing and shoes for school and help them make a difference. Create your own activities or use My New Red Shoes’ Girl Scout materials from our website.  Create a play, art show or movie to spread the word about this issue and inspire others to take part in the solution. Ask everyone who attends the event to donate a new pair of shoes.

3. Mak e it las Can yo u mak t! e your Award

Br pr you’re d oject live on onze on or group e Maybe anot after her girl is willing make it to adop an annu t it and al haps yo u can ta event. Or, perp into t of socia he pow l media er word a t o s p r ead the bout w hat and help your ide you’ve done a go vira else co uld you l. do to g What project ive you staying r power?

Questions? Other ideas? Contact our Manager of Community Outreach and Education at (650) 375-2648 or by email at [email protected].

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rd Brz

© Leo na

Additional Materials

ezinsk i, 2010

rn

Lea

!

e Mor

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Love Letters Additional

Every year, My New Red Shoes receives thousands of thank you letters from the children who received back-to-school gift bags and shoes. Here are just a few.

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Love Letters Making the World a Better Place

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Love Letters

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Additional

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Making the World a Better Place

Additional

Photo © Leonard Brzezinski 2010

Love Letters

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Making the World a Better Place

Additional Love Letters Making the World a Better Place

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Dear Cookie Customer, Did you know that every cookie you buy helps girls do great things? I’ve decided to donate part of my cookie money to an organization called My New Red Shoes, which helps homeless and low-income children arrive at school feeling and looking good by providing them with brand new clothing and shoes.

Thank you for buying cookies that will help me make the world a better place! It’s important to me to support children who don’t have clothing and shoes for school because: © Leonard Brzezinski, 2010

______________________________________ ______________________________________

____________________________________________________________ For more information about My New Red Shoes, please visit www.mynewredshoes.org.

© Leonard Brzezinski, 2010

Inspire Your Cookie Customers

So, by buying cookies, you’ve not only helped me do good in the world, you’ve helped homeless and low-income girls achieve greatness by making sure they arrive at school feeling proud and ready to learn.

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Parent/Guardian Information Sheet Dear Girl Scout Parent or Guardian, Our troop is working with a nonprofit organization called My New Red Shoes, which helps homeless and low-income children arrive at school proud and ready to learn by providing them with brand new clothing and shoes. The girls in our troop will participate in activities that will help them understand why some children miss school or underperform because they don’t have appropriate school clothing and shoes or their clothing is not the right size, is wrong for the season, or is otherwise shameful to them. Our girls will then Make the World a Better Place by:

Parent/Guardian Information

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Sewing back-to-school gift bags in which the children will receive their new shoes and clothing gift card

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Making “first day” cards wishing the children luck on their first day of school, encouraging them to be Courageous and Strong, and letting them know that others are thinking about them

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Collecting brand new shoes Volunteering at My New Red Shoes’ warehouse to sort shoes or pack back-to-school gift bags Planning and hosting a back-to-school party at a local family shelter Sponsoring children with our Fall Sales or Cookie funds

My New Red Shoes was founded in 2006 by a former Girl Scout and now Daisy troop leader who wanted to give the disadvantaged children in and around her Menlo Park, California community the opportunity to feel proud of what they were wearing on the first day of school. In its first five years, My New Red Shoes distributed over 11,000 clothing and shoe gift bags to homeless and low-income children in five counties of the Bay Area. To learn more, please visit www.mynewredshoes.org. For a tax receipt for shoes, fabric, party items or other resources donated by your family, please fill out the following form and mail to the address below. Remember - these tax receipts should only be used solely for items donated by yourself or your family.  Name:____________________________________________________ Date:___________________ Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________________ City:___________________________________________ State:______ Zip:____________________ Phone #:___________________ Email Address:___________________________________________ Description of Donation:_____________________________________________________________ Value of Donation: $_________

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For More Information, Please Contact My New Red Shoes’ Manager of Community Outreach and Education at [email protected] or (650) 375-2648

www.mynewredshoes.org 111 Anza Blvd. Suite 110 Burlingame, CA 94010 [email protected] (650) 375-2648

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