Girl Scouts across Western Ohio are doing amazing things! Check out Ella, a Cadette from Oxford Ohio, who received $500 to make a difference in her community as one of Disney’s Summer of Service Grant winners.

After learning about the importance of bees and the shrinking bee population, Ella decided to take action and make sure bees have what they need to flourish in her community.

Ella’s Project

Ella started Bumble Bands, which makes and plants homemade strips of seeds that grow into bee-friendly flower gardens! For her project, Ella recruited volunteers to make and plant more than 150 Bumble Bands. She also planted a large-scale bee garden at Hueston Woods Pioneer Cabin on land donated by the Oxford Museum Association.

“Bees are responsible for the success of 90 percent of produce that we humans use every day,” said Ella. “My area is an agrarian and rural community, and so the success of crops determines the livelihood of many local families. I thought that if I could provide a better environment for local bees, I could therefore help the whole community, from farm to table.”

When asked how she lived the Girl Scout Law with her project, Ella said she’s “making the world a better place by spreading my love of bees with my community, and by leading over 150 people to make their own change for good.”

Ella showed us that small ideas can make a big difference. She identified an issue in her community, made a plan, and took action to address the issue, putting over 50 hours into her project and earning her Silver Award. Go Ella! We’re so proud of your efforts and congratulate you on earning your Silver Award, the Highest Award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn.

Want to make a difference in your community and be recognized for it just like Ella? Start planning a Take Action or Highest Award project today!