United Community Ministries (UCM) welcomed Girl Scout Cadette Maryclaire O'Brien (above) from Troop 3520 for a recent visit to complete her Girl Scout Silver Award project at the agency’s main Fordson Road location. The Silver Award is the second highest award of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. A seventh grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Alexandria, O’Brien organized a Children’s Book Drive, collecting three boxes of books for UCM’s Mount Vernon Kids campaign — plus donated copies of an activity book about reading, which she designed herself. Her project also included the donation of a new bookcase for the UCM main waiting room, which was purchased with funds she earned and solicited. UCM welcomes the opportunity to talk and meet with Scouts who are researching ideas for their Award projects. Visit ucmagency.org and then email Volunteer Coordinator Emily Griffin at emily.griffin@ucmagency.org.