By MAUREEN DOHERTY
MOVIES FOR A CAUSE. Girl Scout Emily Precourt, 18, poses with the avalanche of 115 DVDs geared for tweens and teens that she collected and donated to Boston Children’s Hospital. The project earned her the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. (Courtesy Photo)
LYNNFIELD — Seriously ill teenagers who are patients at Boston Children’s Hospital can look forward to brighter days thanks to the efforts of a local Girl Scout.
Emily Precourt, a senior at Lynnfield High School, recently completed her “Movies For a Cause” project. She organized a months’ long collection effort and donated 115 DVDs with titles that would specifically appeal to tweens and teens during their long stays at the hospital while being treated for life-threatening and life-altering illnesses.
“These kids have little to look forward to each day when they are stuck in their rooms for endless periods of time,” Precourt said. “These DVDs are just a little ray of sunshine to brighten their day and to take their minds off of the current struggles of why they are in the hospital to begin with.”
Precourt originated the idea last year when she began working on her Gold Award project. The Gold Award is the highest award that can be earned by a Girl Scout and is equivalent to an Eagle Scout awarded to Boy Scouts.
“These DVDs were received with great happiness and excitement by the patients and staff because of how much they are wanted and needed by these kids,” Precourt said.
Precourt, the daughter of Sharon and Tim Precourt, has been involved with Girl Scouts since she was in kindergarten. Her mom serves as her Troop leader with Girl Scout Troop 60528.
She adds that she has been working up to her Gold Award project since joining scouting. “After many field trips and projects, I have finally become an accomplished woman with the whole world ahead to help with my leadership skills,” the 18-year-old said.
During the annual Girl Scout bridging ceremony to be held in May of 2015, Precourt and six other girls from Lynnfield will be recognized for attaining their Gold Awards for a variety of projects.
Precourt continues to accept new or gently used DVDs to enhance the tween and teen collection at Boston Children’s Hospital. Those who would like to make a donation may send DVDs directly to 998 Summer St., Lynnfield MA 01940.
