For Claire Tomao, a love of reading and childhood memories of visiting the American Girl store have come together in her Girl Scout Silver Award project.
Tomao, 14, a freshman at Lakeland High School and member of Troop 2812, is creating an “American Girl Doll Books and Buddies” program at John C. Hart Memorial Library. The program will give young readers the opportunity to have an American Girl doll as a reading buddy at the library and at home.
Tomao is an avid reader who often visits Hart to borrow books. She also enjoys visiting Little Free Libraries and even uses an app to find them. When she began thinking about her Silver Award project, she realized she could combine those interests with her childhood love of American Girl. Her favorite doll is the 2019 Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson, whom she admired for being independent and from the Hudson Valley.
“When I was thinking about my Silver Award I thought, what if there was a way to combine the two,” Tomao said.
Children’s Librarian Olivia Kim said Tomao first approached the library in July with her idea.
“Since we already have adventure boxes from a previous Silver Award project and the Early Literacy Backpacks, we figured we could make her project work as well,” Kim said. “Like our PAWS program, the dolls would provide comfort for kids and help them gain confidence in their reading skills. Since the dolls are quite expensive, they are out of reach for many families. This program provides kids the opportunity to engage in imaginative play with toys that they otherwise could not access.”
As part of the project, Tomao conducted a survey and she found the most interest among children ages 4 to 8 and 9 to 12. She said the program has received an “overwhelming amount of support,” with people telling her they can’t wait to check out a doll.
The project has also received support from Assemblyman Matt Slater, whom Tomao met with recently. Slater offered to help spread the word about the program. Jann Mirchandani, the Democratic candidate for Yorktown supervisor, also purchased a plush American Girl doll for the program so the library’s youngest readers can have a reading buddy.
“I have received an overwhelming amount of support with people saying that they can’t wait to check out a doll,” she said.
Tomao has met with library staff several times to discuss the program and visited the Rye Free Reading Room to see how it manages its American Girl doll collection. On Sept. 21, she will give younger Girl Scouts a sneak peek at the dolls and explain how the program will work. On Sept. 23, the library will hold a public program where children can meet the dolls, learn how to care for them and read to them.
Tomao is halfway through the project, which she plans to complete by Sept. 30.
For Tomao, giving back to the community is one of the best parts of being a Girl Scout, especially when a project can make a positive impact.
“Everyone can enjoy” the project, Tomao said, “both at the library and at home.”
Her favorite American Girl doll was the 2019 Girl of the Year, whom she admired for being independent and from the Hudson Valley.
“One thing I enjoy most about being a Girl Scout is giving back to the community,” Tomao said. “Especially when it will have a strong impact for the better.”
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