Local Girls Scouts help South Elgin senior

Service projects are the heart of organizations such as the Girl Scouts. That is exactly what took place when troop leader Amy McManus called Visiting Angels of South Elgin in search of a senior citizen in the community who could use a little help with gardening and outside chores.

"I contacted Visiting Angels of South Elgin because I knew they helped seniors," McManus said. "We wanted to help someone locally and Visiting Angels pointed us in the right direction for our community service project."

The staff at Visiting Angels referred Amy to 93-year-old Eugene Bohne of South Elgin. Bohne has lived in South Elgin for the past 45 years. He was thrilled when he was notified about the service project. "There is a lot to do here, and I wondered how I was going to get it all done," he said. "This is the best place I have lived. The girls did a great job."

Girl Scouts from Troops 843 and 791 spent an afternoon working and beautifying Bohne's yard. They planted flowers and mulched around trees on the property. The troop is led by Amy McManus, Amanda McNally and Char Lee.

"We were so happy to connect the Girl Scouts with Mr. Bohne," said Arlene Petersen, owner of Visiting Angels. "They share in our passion to help seniors at home, and they provided a valuable service with this project."

Visiting Angels of South Elgin provides home care and Life Care Navigation services to seniors in the greater Kane and surrounding areas. Services include registered nurse medication review and management, dementia care, bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry assistance, errands, transportation and companionship. Twenty-four-hour care is available as well as respite services. For information about Visiting Angels, call (847) 429-0100. Visit www.facebook.com/visitingangels.southelgin or at VisitingAngels.com/SouthElgin.