Victoria Morton, a 17-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador from Troop 00135 in Gulfcoast Council, has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, for her project, Pet Resource Central. With only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts earning this distinction, Victoria’s initiative stands as a testament to her leadership, dedication, and commitment to her community.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest recognition a Girl Scout can earn. It is the culmination of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, in which Girl Scouts use all the skills and knowledge they have gained through Girl Scouting to identify an issue they care about and develop a plan for sustainable change in their communities. The award requires Girl Scouts to demonstrate proficiency in team leadership, project planning and execution, and outreach, while ensuring their project creates a sustainable, measurable impact on the community. The prestigious award is recognized nationally by GSUSA, as well as by Congress and the U.S. Military.

Recognizing the financial burden pet care can place on low-income families, Victoria launched Pet Resource Central, an initiative aimed at providing essential pet care education and resources. She created a website, petresourcecentral.com, offering information on low-cost and free pet care services, vaccinations, and spay/neuter programs. To ensure accessibility, she distributed over 2,000 pounds of pet food, each bag attached with an informative pamphlet directing pet owners to the website.

Victoria also hosted 13 free pet care events, providing bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing, all while educating pet owners on affordable veterinary services.

“My goal was to make sure that pets in low-income households receive the care they deserve, even when their owners face financial hardships,” Victoria said. “Through my website and outreach events, I was able to connect pet owners with the resources they need to keep their animals healthy and happy.”

Victoria’s project has had a lasting impact. She secured partnerships with the Gulf Coast Humane Society and the Community Resource Center of Punta Gorda, ensuring the continued distribution of educational materials and pet food. Additionally, the website will remain active, with updates managed by dedicated volunteers.

Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, praised Victoria’s efforts: “Earning the Gold Award is an extraordinary achievement, and Victoria embodies the core values of Girl Scouting. This program teaches girls how to communicate effectively and collaborate with their communities to drive meaningful change. Victoria’s initiative not only provided immediate support to pet owners in need but also created lasting partnerships to ensure its impact continues. She has truly made a difference.””

Through her 136.5-hour project, Victoria honed her leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills. “I learned that even small actions can create a ripple effect,” she reflected. “This project was about more than just pet care—it was about supporting families and ensuring that no one has to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves.”

Victoria will be honored at the Young Women of Distinction Ceremony later this year, where she will join an elite group of Girl Scouts who have made significant contributions to their communities through the Gold Award.

For more information on Pet Resource Central, visit petresourcecentral.com.

For more information about Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida or how to join or support a troop, visit www.gsgcf.org.