Janelle K. Gerardi (Girl Scouts of Connecticut photo)
Janelle K. Gerardi, a New Canaan Girl Scout and 2013 Gold Award recipient, who graduated from New Canaan High School Class in June, has been named this year’s Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy as a part of National Philanthropy Day in Connecticut.
She was recognized at the Connecticut Conference awards banquet at the Trumbull Marriott on Nov. 15.
The Annual National Philanthropy Day in Connecticut is co-sponsored by two chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) — AFP Fairfield County, Connecticut and AFP Connecticut. The 2013 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy honor is given to an “individual or group of young people, ages 5 to 17, who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy.”
Gerardi was recognized for her many accomplishments as a student at New Canaan High School and for her Gold Award project, entitled, F.R.O.G. (Food Right Out of the Ground), which benefited the New Canaan Food Pantry. She collected extra produce from local gardeners and the New Canaan Farmer’s Market for the pantry, totaling 2,156 pounds of produce. She handed down the project to the St. Mark’s Youth Group to continue in the future, creating a manual for them to complete the transition.
She is attending Villanova University and majoring in chemistry.
“Janelle is an incredible example of how girls can take action and make the world a better place,” said Mary Barneby, CEO, Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “Through her hard work and dedication, she has made a sustainable impact on the New Canaan community for years to come. She is an outstanding role model for all of our girls across Connecticut.”
Gerardi was one of 70 Gold Award recipients in 2013. The award is the highest achievement a girl can earn in girl scouting, meeting national standards set by Girl Scouts of the USA. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to Go Gold, an act that “indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world,” according to a release.