Girl Scout troops share the warmth

It's not just the cookies that Girl Scouts are known for.

Performing a community service Saturday, about 20 Girl Scouts from troops 176, 333, 1566 and 157 were giving away free coats, sweatshirts and hoodies in front of the Carson City Community Center.

"Free coats," they yelled at passersby from East William Street, while jumping up and down and waving.

"We must have at least 600 coats here," said Rebecca Talafous, leader of Troop 333. "They're just doing this as a community service."

Six-year-old Ansley Talafous helped wash and sort many of the jackets at her home.

"There were a lot," Ansley said, as she licked chocolate from her donut off her lips.

Talafous said the troops collected coats that were left at Carson City schools and ended up in the lost and found.

"We have all sizes for kids and some adult sizes," she said. "If we don't give them all away, we'll have another drive."

Leading Troop 176 is Katy Kendall; Troop 1566 is Amanda McKee, and Troop 157, Dyan Reece.

"We did coat drives at the schools," Kendall said. "The majority here are what was left behind at the schools when the year was over. Mostly hoodies and sweatshirts, and coats."

Kendall and Talafous said another coat drive may be held in January, just in time for cookie orders to be placed.

The Carson City Girl Scouts also send cookies overseas to the military, and make Christmas and Valentine's Day cards for them.

"They sent a thank-you card," Ansley said.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.