Muslim Girl Scouts Bring Christmas Breakfast to Naperville Firefighters

Muslim Girl Scouts Bring Christmas Breakfast to Naperville Firefighters

Naperville firefighter Kevin Caroll has worked about a dozen Christmas shifts in his 28-year career, but Friday was the first time there was a special gift delivered to him at the fire station.

Girl Scouts and their families from the Islamic Center of Naperville played Santa on Christmas morning delivering baskets full of Panera bagels, coffee cake, fruit and eggs to all 10 fire stations in town.

“This is a first. It’s very nice,” Caroll said.

After delivering treats the girls also chatted with the firefighters about their jobs and climbed in the fire trucks to explore.

“It is very much appreciated,” said firefighter Tom Kriss. “It’s not home, but it’s kind of like spending Christmas with your second family.”

The morning was about more than breakfast. Group leaders hope to counteract negative opinions about their faith.

“With what is going on in the world today, we have to be the ambassadors for peace,” said program director Saima Hasan. “We have to flood the hearts of our fellow Americans with love and kindness and show them what being Muslim is really about.”

(Photo via Daniel White, Daily Herald staff photographer)

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Girl Scouts Spread Christmas Cheer

Girl Scouts Spread Christmas Cheer

Girl Scouts in Downers Grove, Illinois celebrated the true reason for the season by visiting a local nursing home. Troop 50972 sang Christmas carols and performed poetry and piano pieces for residents of Immanuel Residences.

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“As a Girl Scout troop leader, I try to help form thoughtful girls … thoughtful with one another and other people,” explained troop leader Jennifer Haselhorst. “I think a lot of times, kids don’t get to interact with older people and this was an opportunity for them to get to know somebody on a personal level.”

The girls and residents also worked together to create 50 Christmas cards for veterans at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois.

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“My favorite part was making the cards and talking to the residents,” said Jennifer’s daughter, Gretchen, a 7-year-old Girl Scout Brownie. “It was also fun getting to know them better.”