Suffolk County girl scout donates custom-made benches for seniors at The Bristal

Suffolk County Girl Scout Lauren Smalley, a Sayville High School senior, donated custom built benches and a wheelchair accessible vegetable garden that she created to residents of The Bristal at Sayville.

The donation was part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project and unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 11.

Smalley, who is a 13-year member of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) created the benches as part of her Gold Award project, which is the most prestigious award in girl scouting.

“I created vegetable gardens and they’re wheelchair accessible, so the seniors in wheelchairs can plant,” she said. “I also created benches for them so they can have more outdoor seating.”

The project came during a challenging time for Smalley and her family. While working on the benches, her family’s home was severely damaged by a fire in December 2024, which forced her family to move. Despite the tragedy, she completed her promise and finished the benches.

“I guess I still just wanted to do it because I love my community,” she said. “It gave back to me after what happened, and I wanted to give back to them.”

“These benches, flowerpots and vegetable gardens will not only brighten our outdoor spaces but also create spaces for our residents to relax, connect and enjoy nature,” said Kristin Steffens, lifestyle director for The Bristal at Sayville.

Gold Award Girl Scouts address issues they’re passionate about by planning and implementing a project that produces lasting change in their communities and beyond. To earn a Gold Award, each recipient must complete two Senior or Ambassador journeys or their Girl Scout Silver Award before beginning their Gold Award project. To meet the Girl Scout Gold Award requirements, each candidate must complete at least 80 hours toward their project.