GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Kent County Animal Shelter, in collaboration with Girl Scout Troop 4921, will host the unveiling of its memorial garden this weekend.
The event, planned for Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Kent County Animal Shelter, highlights a project created by three dedicated Girl Scouts as part of their Silver Award, an honor earned by completing a large community service project. The unveiling is free and open to the public.
To earn a Silver Award, a scout must complete a community leadership initiative while in grades 6-8 to address an issue they care about.
“This project is a testament to the compassion and leadership of our Girl Scouts,” said troop leader Christina Hage. “The girls wanted to create something lasting and sacred for families who have lost beloved animal companions, and we hope it brings comfort to all who visit.”
The memorial garden at 740 Fuller Ave. NE offers families a place to honor the lives of animal companions whose families choose euthanasia service to say a final goodbye. It features a small stone bench and a plaque.
The unveiling will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, with remarks from the three Girl Scouts who made the idea possible: Alexandra Hage of Byron Center High School, Selah Koons of Grand River Preparatory High School and Claire Doody of East Kentwood High School. Former Girl Scout Rev. Ginny Mikita and Kent County Animal Shelter Director Angela Hollinshead will also present.
In addition to the garden itself, the scouts created a grief kit for families to take home. It includes a grief brochure, a business card for the grieving group Animal Blessings, a poem, seed hearts to plant in memory of the pet, a rose quartz heart, and a nose print from the deceased pet.
The goal of both the kits and the memorial garden is to guide pet owners on their healing journey.
“I have had to euthanize my own animals and think it is so important that people get the closure they need,” said Hage.
Sponsors of this project include Animal Blessings, Thrivent, Michigan Monument and the Girl Scouts themselves with their hard-earned cookie sale funds.