Girl Scout, Ferndale Businesses Team Up to Help Wounded Warrior Project

The sight of a veteran who had lost multiple limbs made an indelible impression on Girl Scout Alexandria McDonald.

"It makes me feel sad for him, but it's kind of cool knowing survivors are out there," said Alexandria, who is conducting a donation drive to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and earn a Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. 

She will collect donations of clothes, toiletries and money Saturday, July 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at Geary Park in Ferndale, as well as at Dino's Lounge and Treat Dreams, which are ongoing donation sites. Donors Saturday at Treat Dreams will receive a free kids scoop of ice cream and contributors at Geary Park will be entered into a drawing for a One Direction concert DVD and prizes from Buffalo Wild Wings, Pinwheel Bakery and Cracker Barrel.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a national nonprofit that assists injured service members.

Alexandria, who is a part of Troop 73562 at John. F. Kennedy School in Ferndale, said the injured veteran she saw was a greeter at the market on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where she often visits her aunt.

"Almost all of my family is in the military," said Alexandria of what inspired her Bronze Award project.

The Oak Park resident said she and her mom, Carrie Muxlow, visited restaurants and businesses throughout Ferndale seeking support and Alexandria sent follow-up e-mails.

One of her biggest supporters has been Dino's Lounge owner Dean Bach, who has provided the Ferndale restaurant as a drop-off location and volunteered his catering truck and a driver to accompany Alexandria to deliver the supplies July 29 to the Aeromedical Staging Facility at Andrews Air Force Base if needed, Muxlow said. 

Alexandria and Bach also appeared earlier this month on Fox 2 News to promote the project.

"(Bach and the Dino's staff) didn't even know us and they just took us in and gave (Alexandria) so much praise – and Scott Maloney at Treat Dreams, too," Muxlow said. 

Garden Fresh Salsa also has made a monetary pledge toward the project and offered Alexandria a tour of the Ferndale facility, Muxlow added.

"I don't know what's up with these business owners," she glowed.

Muxlow said her daughter has raised $1,676 so far – $676 more than her goal – and surpassed the minimum number of hours needed to earn the Bronze Award, but plans to continue the effort because she is excited about the outcome.

"She has even asked (Bach) to do the fundraiser again with her next year, even if she isn’t completing the project for an award," Muxlow said.