Girl Scouts Donate Food in Seaford for Turkey Drive [VIDEO]

Some Girl Scouts from Bellmore made an on-site donation of canned goods to the Bethpage Federal Credit Union's Seaford branch this past Wednesday as part of the company's Turkey Drive to benefit Mineola-based Island Harvest.

Bethpage Seaford Branch Manager Paul Jervis accepted the roughly 1,000 pounds of food collected and donated by the scouts. He awarded each scout with a Heart of Bethpage Turkey Drive Patch. 

One of the Bellmore Girl Scouts providing the food donations in Seaford was Emily Griffin, 10, who recalled the first time she saw people in need.

"I once saw homeless people on the street and I felt so bad," she said. "I wanted to find a way to help them."

Griffin said she has been given countless opportunities to give back to her community-a gift she greatly appreciates, especially during the holiday season.

"The Girl Scouts allow me to keep giving and giving," she said.

The Bellmore Girl Scouts never stop volunteering. The group collects food for holiday food drives, makes sandwiches for the homeless, arrange a coat drive during the winter and host a garage sale to raise money for local charities.

Kaitlin Redican from Troop 951 said that being a Girl Scout has helped her realize that she can make a difference.

"When I give back I feel like I give some of my fortune to the unfortunate," the 10-year-old said. "During Thanksgiving, we get to spend time with our families and eat wonderful food and some people don't have that."

Troop Leader Maria Isabel Sabino said that organizations such as the the Girl Scouts of America can turn girls into caring and compassionate women.

"It brings them together, it builds their character and it helps them develop leadership skills," she said. "It also gives them a sense of responsibility."

Bianca Liriano from Troop 971 agreed.

"Without helping and caring for others there is no purpose in what we do," the 13-year-old said. "This is our goal."

While the girls laughed and sorted through cans of food, they continued to wish Olivia Sabina from Troop 964 a happy birthday.

Sabina wanted her eighth birthday to be special.

"I wanted to spend the day helping other people," she said. "It is not just about me."