Lake Charles area Girl Scout Kassie Piatt has earned the Gold Award — the highest achievement in the organization — for volunteering to help children who have lost a family member cope with their loss.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the standout achievement of girls who develop meaningful, sustainable solutions to challenges in their communities and the world.

“As Girl Scouts discover their passions and the power of their voices, they’ll want to take on an issue that’s captured their interest and is meaningful to them,” Cassandra Phillips, director of marketing and development with the Girl Scouts of Louisiana- Pines to the Gulf, said.

Piatt’s project involved creating grief care packages that were then distributed by Johnson Funeral Home.

Piatt said she felt the need to address the issue to help youth struggling with grief after losing a loved one.

“It is hard to balance a lot of things at once,” Piatt said. “It’s hard when a big obstacle comes in my way and I have to figure out a way to get over it and keep going.”

Inside the grief bags were coloring books, flashlights, candy, snacks, stress balls, picture frames and various toys.

Her project began in November of 2019 and was completed at the end of December 2021.

“My results were amazing,” Piatt said. “I was always told from the workers at the funeral homes that the kids loved the bags. I reached my goals by not giving up when I wanted to. I had so many people there when I got stuck who helped me.”