LOCAL GIRL SCOUT “Helping Heal Through

Meet Sydney Barfus, a 17-yearold high school senior from Fort Lauderdale, who has been spreading joy and comfort to sick children of all ages at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami through her amazing project. Sydney's Girl Scout Gold Award Project, titled "Helping Heal Through Stories," involves supplying a storybook cart that provides children with books to keep and follow along with as they listen to Sydney's recorded voice on an audio CD reading the books.

Sydney, a proud member of Troop 10707 in Plantation, was inspired to organize and execute this project because she knows firsthand how comforting it is to have someone read to you when you're feeling scared or stressed. Her goal was to bring this same comfort and joy to children in hospitals. She spent over 140 hours gathering donations from friends and family members, purchasing books, and assembling and decorating the metal locking cart.

The storybook cart includes books in three different languages and corresponding audio CDs. Sydney herself recorded the audio, editing and burning the CDs to ensure that each child can have a personal and interactive experience with the books. Some of the books included are Goodnight Moon in English and Spanish, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Charlotte's Web, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in English and Spanish, Anwo Ak Anba in Creole and Lotsa Matzah.

Sydney began working on this project at the end of 2022, and the hospital has already implemented the use of the storybook cart. The positive effects it has had on the children's mindset and enjoyment has been nothing short of amazing. What an inspiring young woman, bringing hope and joy to the children who need it most!

▸ If you would like to contribute to this special project, please contact helpinghealthroughstories@gmail.com