Boston Post Leo Club and Girl Scouts Support the work of the Chernobyl Project and LifeNets

December 7, 1999

Dear Mr. Kubik and LifeNets,

I thought I would take a few minutes to explain how I, and people I advise, got involved in the Children of Chernobyl Fund.

While in England two summers ago, I met a woman who had a group of children with her.  In conversation she us that the children were from Chernobyl and all about the funds and the needs of the citizens. I was in England to attend the International Lions' Convention so I know I would have some willing helpers when I returned to the U.S. 

I presented the facts I had to my Leo Club, which is the youth branch of Lion's and is a community service club. They got on the Internet and found out more about the Fund and ways they could help. They decided that colorful fleece hats for children with cancer would be a great way to show their concern. Luckily for us, the Malden Mills factory is located about 45 minutes from us and has the best fleece to use. It's Polartec, the same material used by L.L. Bean, Land's End and others.

They started cutting out hats and it soon became apparent that they would need help in fulfilling this project. Enter my daughter, (also a Leo) who was senior Girl Scout and in my troop. She needed a a major project to fulfill her Gold Award requirements so she organized "sewing bees" for the community to sew the hats together.  The hats cut out were all put together. Hence, there are 89 hats in the box shipped last week.

In the meantime, the Leos were busy making and selling chocolate lollipops for the Fund. Enclosed you will find a check for $135 which is the proceeds of their efforts after expenses of  fleece, shipping, and chocolate.

Some of the students that were instrumental in this getting started are now in college. My daughter, Marissa, is now an adult Girl Scout, still a Leo and is at Marist College pursuing a fashion design degree. Last year's president, Emily Corbett, was also a Girl Scout though not in my troop. She originally spearheaded the project an is now in college in Maine. The president of the club this year is Bryan Andriano, a senior and is a really great salesman and actor. My vice president is Sara Morrow, also a senior who is also in peer outreach, teen institute and keenly aware of community service. Together with Marissa, they have made sure this project happened. I lost count of how many lollipops Bryan and Sara have made so far this year!

I know that in the grand scheme of this this isn't much, but I also know every bit helps. I wish you continued success and thank you for caring for those who need hope, love, guidance and the knowledge that there are people who care. Bless you all!

Sincerely,

Linda Ribolini
15 Melody Lane
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031

Advisor, Boston Post Leo Club
leader-Senior Scout Troop #1657
Girl Scout Council of Swift Water