The Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 178 are showing the world what compassion in action looks like!

These amazing young leaders recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. Their project willenable the Animal Welfare League in Port Charlotte to kick off a new “Reading with Cats” program.

The Bronze Award challenges Girl Scouts to identify a meaningful community need, plan a thoughtful project, and take action—while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills along the way. Troop 178’s project, “Pawfect Project,” did all of that and more.

The girls started their mission by raising awareness for homeless pets and collecting essential donations—including food, cat litter, towels, detergent, and more—during their trunk-or-treat event.

But Troop 178 didn’t stop there. They took their project to the next level by building bookshelves to support the shelter’s upcoming “Reading with Cats” program, a creative initiative designed to encourage young readers to practice literacy while spending time with adoptable cats. In doing so, the girls learned hands-on construction skills like measuring, sawing, assembling, and painting—practicing safety, precision, and teamwork every step of the way.

Through this project, the girls honed valuable life skills such as planning, communication, leadership, and project management, all while making a tangible difference in the lives of animals and children. Their efforts not only provided immediate support to the shelter, but they also created a lasting resource that will enrich the community for years to come.

A huge congratulations to the girls of Troop 178 for their creativity, generosity, and dedication! Their Bronze Award project is a shining example of how Girl Scouts put courage, confidence, and character into action, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to make the world a brighter place—one paw at a time