Troop 1803 members, front row left to right, Allison McNutt, Evelynn Turner, Norah Olson, Ava Browne and Maci Winn; presented a support swing to Blackstone Principal Stacy Kelly, back row center, on June 20. The girls were accompanied by troop leaders, Jennifer NcNutt, left, and Jessica Turner. (Reporter photo by Bonnie Morris)

MENDOTA - A new full support swing is being added to the playground equipment at Blackstone School thanks to Mendota Daisy Troop 1803. The swing will be installed on the existing swing set at Blackstone and any child with special needs will be welcome to use it.

Money to purchase the swing was raised by Daisy Troop 1803 during this year’s Girl Scout Cookie sales. Troop leader Jessica Turner explained that the donation was a Take Action project done by troop members Allison McNutt, Evelynn Turner, Norah Olson, Ava Browne and Maci Winn. On June 20, the girls along with Turner and troop co-leader, Jennifer McNutt presented the swing to Blackstone Principal Stacy Kelly.

Kelly said she was very excited and happy to have this special piece of equipment added to the playground at Blackstone. “I was speechless when you called and told me about the donation,” she told the troop members. “This was a fantastic project that you girls did. This swing will not only benefit kids now but also into the future.”

The swing is constructed of sturdy blue plastic with a safety harness and strap to ensure proper positioning and upper body support and will hold youth up to 120 pounds. It is designed to allow children with special needs the ability to enjoy swinging while helping improve body strength, balance reactions, motor planning and posture.

Kelly noted that she did not know of any other swing of its type anywhere in Mendota. “It’s available for any child to use - I really encourage people in the community to come the playground and enjoy it,” she emphasized. “I was a Girl Scout myself and I’m really proud of what these girls did.”

After donating the swing last week, the troop went over to Lake Mendota Park to perform a Community Service project by picking up trash in the park. Both Take Action and Community Service projects are an important facet of Girl Scouting. While Community Service helps others in an immediate way, Take Action projects encourage members to look more closely at problems in their community and search for a solution that will last into the future.