Cadette Troop 2278 & Leaders (back row): Police Lt. Colleen Mott, Dr. Jennifer Forche, Rachel Forche, Melanie Pomper, Sasha Kenkre and Barbara Wideman; (front row): Elise Wideman, Emma Green and Seema Imam.
Photo courtesy of Cadette Troop 2278
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Kitty forts are colorful boxes that serve as safe and comfortable resting spots for homeless cats and kittens as they wait to b adopted. Recently the Michigan Humane Society was the recipient of more than 150 handcrafted kitty forts made by Troy Girl Scouts.
The community-wide event was organized and hosted by Troy Girl Scout Cadette Troop #2278 at the Troy Community Center last month. The troop of six eighth grade girls who attend Boulan Park Middle School knew they wanted to do a community service project that benefitted animals and the Michigan Humane Society suggested the kitty forts, said troop leader Dr. Jennifer Forche.
"The girls thought it sounded like a great project," she said. "They love helping the community."
Troop members organized the event from start to finish. They raised money for the project by participating in official Girl Scout fund-raisers like the fall calendar/candy and nut sale and the annual Girl Scout cookie sale as well as by organizing a bottle and can drive, said Forche, who leads the troop with Barbara Wideman with assistance by Troy Police Lt. Colleen Mott.
The troop also received a donation from Val's Pet Supplies in Troy for materials, she added.
Troop #2278 even did a trial run by making some kitty forts last summer. That experience helped them coordinate the recent event, which included Girl Scouts ages 5-15.
The troop set up various stations that walked the participants through the process of making a kitty fort. For example, the participants started at the registration table, then moved on to an area where they learned about the project and continued along various stops where they selected construction paper, chose decorations like stamps and stickers and put all the elements together.
Forche said she was both thrilled and overwhelmed by the response the troop received from other Girl Scout troops following the project's announcement at a meeting of Troy Girl Scout leaders. They received so many requests to participate that a waiting list was established, although everyone who wanted to take part ended up being able to do so, she said.
The kitty forts include small cat toys attached that the cats can bat at and play with.
They will accompany cats and kittens to their new homes and help them transition into their new environment, according to information provided by the Michigan Humane Society.
In addition to the kitty forts, the Michigan Humane Society accepted cat toys made from paper rolls.
The effort was a win-win situation for everyone: Cats and kittens had a new place to curl up while Troop #2278 completed their two-year journey toward earning the Girl Scout Silver Award. This is the highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can achieve, said Forche. The Silver Awards will be presented at a luncheon hosted by the Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit Council next month, she said.
"I am impressed and proud of them," said Forche.
Contact Jane Peterson at (248) 745-4573 or jane.peterson@oakpress.com
