By Lexi MooreA troop of Brownies has formed in the area for the first time in over a decade.Elizabeth Ranfranz and Penny Taubert decided to form the troop after their girls returned home from school with an informational letter in their backpacks.The women decided it would be a nice activity for the children and a way for the girls to have more opportunities to help the community.Ranfranz hosted the first parent meeting for the organization on Thursday to discuss possible activities and fund-raisers."The worst part about forming a new group like this is that you don’t have any money," Ranfranz said in a recent interview.Sundem Oil and Donatello’s have both offered to sponsor some of the group’s activities, but Ranfranz does not think that will be enough."We need money for snacks at our meetings, crafts, garbage bags (for when we help clean up yards) and badges."In addition to providing food for the parent meeting, Donatello’s is sponsoring a raffle at the store.Raffle tickets for one of two Minnesota Vikings sweatshirts are available at the store for $1.Owners Eugene and Diane Immediato said they want to see the troop succeed and know that takes money."We just want to see these girls get some money. Hopefully the town will understand it isn’t about a sweatshirt; it’s about the money in the jar," Diane said.Winners will be selected during the troop’s next meeting on Oct. 24.The group wants to volunteer to help elderly residents with yard work and is interested in assisting at the Tuff Home.So far, six girls between the ages of seven and 10 have signed up to be members of Brownie Troop #805. Each member is responsible for paying a $10 registration fee.The troop will meet every other Monday. The next meeting will include a stop at Wally’s Nursery in Hills.
