Four sixth-graders from the Willow Glen-based troop spent April working on community projects to help the less fortunate. For their hard work, these schoolmates from the St. Martin's of Tours--a private co-ed Catholic school--earned the bronze award, the highest honor for Junior Girl Scouts.

The four girls--Elizabeth Henderson, Olivia Bartz, Emily Ferguson and Kelli Sheehy--developed projects ranging from stuffed animals to potted plants.

Elizabeth and Olivia went on a pumpkin pie-baking mission and recruited 23 other families to join them. The duo was inspired by long lines they saw at Martha's Kitchen, a nonprofit organization in Willow Glen that provides hot meals to the needy.

"When you drive by, you see a long line of people waiting for food," Elizabeth said. "I thought they might like some pumpkin pie."

The girls did more than just bake. They also went to Safeway and Albertsons stores throughout the Bay Area requesting donations. "We definitely improved our communication skills," said Olivia, who added that she was nervous about asking strangers for help initially. "People can be really nice if you present yourself well and tell them what you are doing."

Then the girls packaged the ingredients and delivered them to the pie-baking volunteers. On April 19, the girls delivered more than 70 home-baked pumpkin pies to Martha's Kitchen, 20 of which they themselves baked.

The pies were a welcome treat and were served to the homeless.

"When young people get involved in projects like that, it's good training for them," said Martha's Kitchen Executive Director Edita Cruz. "They know how the poor, hungry and homeless live."

Working on the projects meant giving up weekends, but the girls know their sacrifices were worth it. "We felt really good to see everyone so excited about the pies," said Elizabeth, who wants to volunteer at Martha's Kitchen when she turns 16.

For Emily Ferguson, it wasn't pies but doing something special for underprivileged children. She decided to raise money for 30 teddy bears from toy store Build-a-Bear by having a yard sale.

"I wanted to give children who have been through a tragedy something to comfort them," Emily said.

As early as March, Emily sent out emails to family and friends asking for donations, both in cash and in-kind items for the garage sale. With the help of her parents, she collected the donations and put up signs around the neighborhood, advertising the yard sale.

Close to 100 people packed the April 9 garage sale, buying everything from vinyl records to books to clothes to a dog kennel. Some also gave cash donations of up to $20. In the spirit of charity, Emily donated leftovers from the garage sale to Goodwill.

With the $300 she raised, Emily, together with the other girls, stuffed 30 bears at Build-a-Bear. "Helping others is more fulfilling than helping yourself," Emily said. "Knowing that children will have something to hold on to when they need help is rewarding."

The girls put pretty bows on each bear and donated 15 bears to the Pediatric Center For Life, a clinic geared to low-income families at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose.

Dr. Thad Padua, medical director of the pediatric clinic, praised Emily for her efforts. "You don't see too many young people so philanthropic that they think about other people in need," said Padua, who has given out six bears to needy children.

The rest went to the San Jose Fire Department. Capt. Mitch Wisinki said the bears came in handy for an ongoing program where firefighters use bears to calm and comfort frightened and injured children involved in house fires, accidents and other traumatic situations.

Besides feeding the hungry and helping children, the girls also wanted to cheer up residents at the Bellerose Convalescent Hospital in San Jose with potted plants. Kelli Sheehy came up with the idea. "I wanted to help the seniors because they are older than us and they need us to take care of them," she said.

Kelli and her mother approached Greenhouse Flowers on Stevens Creek Boulevard and managed to buy 37 kalanchoe plants at cost. Trina Gotschall, manager of Greenhouse Flowers, didn't hesitate to help. "When I was 25, I took care of someone who was home-bound. I'm really partial to people who are hidden because they can't get out," Gotschall said. "That's why I'm in this business. I want to brighten their lives with flowers and plants."

For each plant, Kelli typed out and attached a simple note that said, "I hope the plants will help you."

The residents had smiles on their faces when the plants were delivered, Kelli said. "I felt really good."

While the girls have been involved in community projects before, this is the first time they have worked on their own projects from scratch, said troop leader and Willow Glen resident Maricela Henderson, who formed the troop six years ago.

Community service is a big part of the Girl Scout philosophy. Prior to these projects, the girls raised funds through cookie sales and sent care packages to the needy. The girls have also adopted Hummingbird Park at Fisk and Bird avenues in North Willow Glen, where they meet once a month to pick up litter, trim the hedges and keep the park clean.

Maricela Henderson, who is also Elizabeth's mother, wants the girls to "feed their soul through helping others."

"We want them to live right and learn what is important from a young age," she said. "I want them to think, 'Instead of watching television, maybe you can dedicate some time to helping other people.' "

The girls outdid themselves. While they were required to put in only 15 hours each to earn the bronze award, some of the girls put in close to 50 hours.

For their efforts, the girls will receive their bronze award on June 8. Their troop leader is extremely proud of the girls.

"Plant the seed in them when they are young and it will blossom," Maricela Henderson said.