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Aniya Andreacci, a dedicated member of Girl Scout Troop 61373, has been working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children impacted by foster care in Lycoming County. With support from Heshbon Park Church and Suncom Industries, Aniya organized and executed a collection of fidget and sensory toys as part of her Gold Award project. These items were then donated to Dwell, a local nonprofit focused on supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families and will be included in care packages provided to children impacted by foster care, offering comfort and support during difficult transitions.
When asked why this project was so important to her, Aniya shared, "Fidgets help me manage my feelings and help me to focus. This is also important to me because I understand what it's like to be in foster care. I was in foster care for a while before my parents adopted me!"
Aniya's mother, Deb Andreacci, expressed her pride in seeing her daughter grow through the experience. "We have always said to our children 'can't' isn't a word.' We might take longer to do something or have to do it in a different way, but we can do it. So with that being said, she never wanted to give up, and that makes me proud of her.'" Deb also noted how Aniya's confidence has blossomed throughout the project.
With her personal connection to foster care, Aniya was determined to ensure that other children facing similar challenges would receive tools to help them manage their emotions. Her project is a reflection of the power of community and perseverance.