With a focus on community service, Marisa McFarland, an 11-year-old Girl Scout from Delaware, Ohio, has brought joy to new families at OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital. McFarland delivered gift packages to the Grady Family Birthplace, an initiative that reflects her passion for helping others.
“It means a lot to me because I love babies, I love moms, I love helping people,” McFarland expressed. Her aspiration is clear: “When I’m 12, I’m going to get my own babysitting business.”
McFarland began her journey with the Girl Scouts in kindergarten and has since progressed through various levels. “It really inspired me to go to Girl Scouts because I love going camping... but I wanted to do girls just having girl stuff,” she said.
Currently a junior in the Girl Scouts alongside five peers, McFarland engages in activities aimed at community betterment. Her group undertook three significant projects recently, one of which involved selecting Grady Memorial Hospital as a beneficiary.
“We have an adult leader in our group that goes to peoples’ houses and helps them breastfeed,” McFarland explained. This connection led them to choose Grady Memorial Hospital for their project.
During her visit to the hospital, McFarland interacted with nurses and shared insights about her role in the Girl Scouts. She noted their warmth and support: “They were really nice... they cared a lot about why I did this.”
For McFarland, spreading kindness is crucial: “You can figure out a way to help your community... Just try to help the community more than just once.” She hopes her efforts will inspire families to involve their children in similar groups.