A Worthy Project …

I’d like to introduce you to a special young lady in my community. Her name is Parker. She is a high school senior who is currently hard at work on her Stars & Stripes Project.

Stars & Stripes is American Heritage Girls’ highest award, similar to the Eagle Scout … but, quite frankly, way harder!

Parker chose me to be her mentor, and I was thrilled. And then, when she picked her project, I was even more thrilled!

Parker has designed a six-foot-tall mobile literary exhibit for the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany.

She will lead a team of volunteer contractors and young people to construct and install it. Plus, she is organizing multiple book drives to stock its shelves.

While the exhibit will be a free library for children up to ninth grade, it will also enable the museum to highlight local children’s authors and seasonal programming. Her vision is for this exhibit to welcome visitors to the museum since it can be rolled outside next to the entrance or remain just inside the door. Parker’s exhibit will bring local authors and artists together with area children to inspire the next generation of creative minds.

Right now, Parker is in her fundraising phase. Building, stocking and leaving a continuation fund for the exhibit will cost $1,970.

If you would like to donate, I’m including a link to the Museum’s Venmo above. After you pay, you have the option to leave a personal note. Please put “For Parker” in the note, so they can apply your gift to her project.

For anyone in St. Tammany Parish, I also included a materials list. If you’d prefer to donate materials or books (new or gently used for ages infant through ninth grade), please email me: joy at joyerancatore dot com.

I would also welcome “Cheers!” from everyone. If you’d like to send a few words of encouragement to Parker, send me an email, and I’ll pass your message along! Thanks for reading about Parker’s amazing project!