SERVICE PROJECT: TROOP 88 PICKS UP TRASH AT LOCAL PLANT

Troop leader Susan Brown offered guidance as members of Girl Scout Troop 88 picked up trash Wednesday. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Members of Girl Scout Troop 88 posed in front of Major Custom Cable Inc. during their community service project. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Scouts wore rubber gloves for protection against whatever bits of trash they might find while policing the grounds Wednesday. Frequent cries of "Ewwwww! Look what I found!" kept adult leaders busy during the activity. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

FRUITLAND -- One dozen Girls Scouts lent a hand Wednesday, helping pick up trash at Major Custom Cable Inc.

The 12 first-graders, from Immaculate Conception School and Orchard Elementary, picked up trash around the grounds of Major Custom Cable as part of Troop 88's community service project.

Troop leader Susan Brown noted that this was the troop's first community service project this year. MCC is one of the troop's sponsors -- along with the Lady Elkettes of Cape Girardeau.

Also coming up for the troop is the national Make a Difference Day, celebrating the birthday of Girl Scout founder Julie Lowe. The girls will send two cards. One will go to someone important in their lives and one to someone who needs to have their day brightened.

The clean-up brightened the day of Drenna Overbey, human resources manager for MCC.

"I think it's fantastic," she said. "They seem very energetic. They're willing to get the job done. They've been out here almost an hour. They're a good bunch of kids."

The project came about because MCC employee Carlis Dickerson has a daughter in Troop 88, according to Overbey.

MCC makes computer cables and employs about 250 people in its Jackson, Marble Hill and Fruitland plants.

Keeping an eye on a dozen first-grade girls picking up trash was a handful for Brown, Amy Beussink and other adult helpers.

"It's a lot of work, but a lot of fun," Brown said. "They have a lot of energy."