During its annual meeting Wednesday, the Peterborough Woman’s Club gave away more than $10,000 in donations and scholarships.
Club member Virginia Peterson handed out “camperships” to six local Girl Scouts to pay for summer camps, in a cause that has been near and dear to her heart since she was a scout herself. As is her tradition, Peterson donned her scouting regalia for the occasion.
“I’ve been a Scout for over 85 years. I started when I was 7,” Peterson said of her relationship with the Girl Scouts. “And it was wonderful. All the lessons you learn as a Girl Scout, they’re so important.”
Peterson herself was able to achieve a Golden Eaglet – once the highest award a Girl Scout could achieve, now replaced by the Gold Award. She continued to be involved with Scouting as an adult, both as a parent to her three daughters, all of whom were Scouts, and a troop leader for 16 years, and a member of the regional Girl Scout Council.
The camperships, administered through the Woman’s Club, are awarded through a fund set up by Peterson. In her day, she said, Girl Scout camps were all summer long. Now, they’re typically a week or two, but she still wants to ensure girls have the chance to get that experience.
The biggest award of the night, $7,500, went to Monadnock at Home, an organization which provides services to help seniors stay in their homes longer.
Two female students were granted scholarships to continue their studies. ConVal Senior Mackenzie Costello received $1,500 from the Carol Maciocci Scholarship to pursue her degree at St. Michael’s College. The scholarship is awarded to students based on participation in community service.
Nicole Judge received $1,000 from the Janet Achilles Scholarship, awarded to women who are looking to have a second career. Judge is currently studying to be a funeral director.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.