Charlotte County resident and Lemon Bay High School graduate Caleigh Cabral earned Girl Scouting’s highest honor—the Gold Award—with her project titled Comfort for Cancer Warriors.

Caleigh completed her Gold Award in honor of her grandpa, who she lost four years ago to cancer. With treatment rooms being kept so cold, she realized cancer warriors needed lap blankets to keep warm. Caleigh taught the members of the Lemon Bay High School Key Club how to make the blankets and arranged for the Englewood Area Cancer Foundation to be the ongoing recipient. Through her community presentations and online presence, she’s reached people as far as Rhode Island who want to help.

“My Gold Award taught me that a good leader listens to other people’s ideas and then works together to make them a reality.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award, open to high school Girl Scouts, recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through take-action projects with sustainable impact in their communities. The Gold Award is so prestigious that some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award Girl Scouts, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Congratulations, Caleigh!