Four members of Girl Scout Troop 647 of Smithsburg earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for their "Operation Santa" project.
Tara Blacklin of Smithsburg High School, Jennifer Bowlus of North Hagerstown High School and Carly Chambers and Alex Koch of South Hagerstown High School decided to help their community at Christmas time.
They contacted San Mar Children's Home (29 girls), Cedar Ridge Children's Home (35 boys) and a section of the nursing home at Homewood (13 residents), and helped St. Paul's Church in Funkstown pack and distribute food to local families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The girls collected items for these facilities with the help of other local Girl Scout troops. With the help of a sewing group from Homweood, they were able to give each organization pillows, lap quilts and hats. They also made memo boards, scarves, wreaths, bows and cookie trays. All were distributed before Christmas.