Michelle Rogers-Hare, a long-time Girl Scouts volunteer in the Heart of Pennsylvania, knows the best way to serve others is to share those values and pay a helping hand forward.

For the past 20 years, she has been a troop leader, service unit cookie lead and a mentor for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards honors that are earned by her girls.

“Michelle makes a commitment, and she keeps it,” said Sheri Kline, GSHPA volunteer and alumnae engagement manager.

Rogers-Hare said her decades-long Girl Scouts journey began because she’s a paramedic, trained to perform life-saving skills.

Of that first Girl Scout experience Rogers-Hare recalled “…my niece’s troop needed a first aid-certified person to accompany them on an outdoor trip, and I went to help.”

“I hope my work as a paramedic encourages them to see they can do any type of work and really anything they put their minds to doing,” Rogers-Hare explained.

“Michelle co-plans a yearly camping trip to one of the Girl Scout camp properties, and she always finds time to schedule activities and events,” Kline said.

Community service is important to Rogers-Hare. She plans at least two community service activities per year, and she aims to offer a variety of projects so many people in the community can benefit.

From soup kitchens and donations of hats and scarves for homeless shelters, items for the area children’s hospital and local schools, to blankets for Project Linus Susquehanna Valley in Mifflinburg, service is a top priority.

Project Linus provided blankets for children from newborn to 18 years old who are seriously ill, suffered significant trauma or are in need, the Project Linus website said.

Rogers-Hare said the tied fleece, no-sew blankets were a multi-skill level activity girls from Daisies to Ambassadors could manage and enjoy doing.

Nurturing higher level and Gold Award projects and encouraging girls to become decision-makers and leaders brings her so much satisfaction.

Among Rogers-Hare’s greatest Girl Scouts joys is watching youngsters in her troop mature and become accomplished, compassionate and involved young women.

“Watching the girls begin in kindergarten to go on to earn their Gold Awards … these girls help me grow, too,” Rogers-Hare said, “I’m always learning things from them.”

Each month, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania highlight a Girl Scout volunteer who is making a difference in their community. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help a Girl Scout, please visit our website.

Read more: GSHPA Volunteer Award Winners List Released