On Saturday, May 2, Germantown-based Girl Scout Troop 10622 installed a Little Free Library at the Germantown Animal Shelter, creating a new way for families to connect with animals awaiting adoption. The troop also presented a $500 donation raised during this year’s cookie sales.

Troop members include Ivy Barden, Laileigh Meggs, Penelope Hord, Noa Grace Tigrett, Carleigh Clay, Phoebe Gaul, Ella Piper, Lila Schultheis and Abigail Draughon.

The project supports the shelter’s read-to-the-animals program, which encourages children to read aloud to shelter pets to help improve socialization and reduce stress. By adding a Little Free Library on-site, the troop hopes to make the experience more accessible for visiting families.

The initiative was completed as part of the troop’s effort to earn the Bronze Award, one of the highest honors available to Girl Scout Juniors in fourth and fifth grades. Through the Bronze Award process, Girl Scouts identify a community need and work collaboratively to address it.

“I am so proud of our troop for the thoughtful approach they took to their Bronze Award project,” said Troop Leader Steffie Draughon. “After visiting the shelter, the girls wanted to build on the existing program. We hope the Little Free Library will attract more families, help children practice reading skills and provide meaningful interaction for the animals. Ultimately, we hope it leads to more adoptions.”

The Germantown Animal Shelter, located at 7700 Southern Avenue, offers adoption services Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (901) 757-7358.

Troop 10622’s Little Free Library is now officially chartered and mapped as part of the global Little Free Library network. It can be found by searching Little Free Library #224086 at littlefreelibrary.org.

Girl Scout Troop 10622 is part of Girl Scouts Heart of the South, headquartered in Memphis and serving 59 counties across east Arkansas, north Mississippi and west Tennessee. Learn more at girlscoutshs.org.