Hello,

I am excited to share with you my endeavor of the Stars and Stripes Award Project in collaboration with American Heritage Girls (AHG). Since 4th grade, I have actively participated in AHG, an organization dedicated to developing women of integrity through principles of faith, service, and fun.

The Stars and Stripes Award Project is the highest award a girl can earn in her troop. One can earn this award through completing all of the following: by earning a certain number of badges, holding a leadership position in her troop, writing an essay and resume, and most importantly by completing a service project that they plan, lead, and implement themselves.

For my project, I am constructing a prayer garden dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. The garden will be located at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, which is my home parish and my troop’s chartering organization.

I wish to create a space that the community can use to escape from their busy lives and refocus on the bigger picture, which is faith. This garden will provide a quiet space for people to visit, pray, and adore Mary. It will also give the teachers of the school on campus an area to take their students to, to use as a teaching aid for the young kids. In addition, it will open up the possibility for girls in my troop to earn service hours through maintaining the garden. Overall, the addition of this prayer garden will benefit the church, school, and community for what I pray to be a very long time.

To achieve this vision, I am reaching out for support. My fundraising goal is $1200 to cover the costs of supplies, which includes a large quantity of stone, gravel, and other gardening supplies. All donations will go directly to my project. Any extra funds will be given to St. John the Evangelist as a donation to them. All donations are greatly appreciated and I am so thankful for your help.

Thank you for allowing me to share my plan with you, and for considering supporting my project.

With appreciation,

Olivia Sudano