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Girl Scout assembles tool boxes for new Habitat home owners

Steve Miller (center) director of Huntington County Habitat for Humanity, accepts a donation of 10 tool kits from Girl Scout Alyse Omillian (right). The first tool kit will go to Rashell Boardman (second left) and her daughter Addalyn.
Photo provided.

Local Girl Scout Alyse Omillian found a way to earn a top Scouting award while also adding some youth involvement to a project normally reserved for adults.

Omillian, a member of Girl Scout Troop 20279, qualified for her Bronze Award - the highest award that can be earned by a Junior Girl Scout - by putting together tool kits that will be given to the new owner of each house completed by Huntington County Habitat for Humanity.

And, although youth are not allowed at Habitat construction sites for safety reasons, Omillian was able to help by preparing lunch for Habitat volunteers working on a home in Warren.

Her involvement is welcomed by Steve Miller, director of the local Habitat affiliate, who says he's always wanted to find a place for youth in the Habitat projects.

"There's a lot more to Habitat than just building a house," Miller says. "Habitat likes to partner with youth, but it's hard in the construction phase."

Omillian presented the tool kits to Miller on Friday May 8.
She says she learned about Habitat for Humanity from a book, and then found out more on a television program that focused on former President Jimmy Carter's involvement with the organization.

Omillian decided that people who have never before owned homes probably don't have the tools necessary to maintain those homes, so she raised the funds necessary to assemble the tool kits. She received assistance from Juergens Do-It Center purchasing the materials for the boxes. The tool kits will be presented to new homeowners during dedication ceremonies for their homes.

In addition to assembling the tool boxes and preparing lunches for the build volunteers, Omillian also participated in the Homeward Bound walk to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

The Bronze Award encourages Girl Scouts to develop leadership skills by performing community service.
Omillian, a fifth-grader at Flint Springs Elementary School, is the daughter of Robert and Jerry Omillian, of Huntington.