DERRY, NH | The fact that her own daughter isn’t quite old enough to be a Girl Scout hasn’t discouraged Teresa Murray from supporting her favorite organization.
The Derry mom – and lifelong Girl Scout – has been a steady supporter of her community’s Girl Scout product sales, among other things, for the past five years. Murray’s ongoing dedication to the Mission has made her Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains’ August Volunteer of the Month.
Murray, mother to a three-year-old-girl who also works full-time at Comcast, has been involved in Girl Scouts since her days as a Daisy. “Once I turned 18, I became a Lifetime Member because I knew I’d want to stay involved somehow,” she explained.
In 2011, a conversation with an old friend inspired her to start giving back. “I found out she’d become a troop leader so I asked if she needed help,” Murray said. She’d then learn that the greater Derry community did, indeed, need some help. As it turns out, Murray’s background in banking came in handy and she readily stepped forward to help manage troop financial accounts.
Within a year, she’d expanded her reach to assist with product sales, stepping in to also offer support to her fellow volunteers. These days, Murray serves as both Community Accountant and Product Sales Coordinator for Community 203, which encompasses Chester, Auburn, and Derry.
During product sales, the working mom says she puts in between 5 to 10 hours of volunteer time each week, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I really, really enjoy helping out,” she said. “I love to organize, and being a finance person, it’s natural for me to check sweeps and balances.”
She’s made plenty of friends along the way. “I work with a great
group of ladies,” Murray said.
“We’re already planning for
when my own daughter turns 5. We’ve got a troop all planned!”
Her advice to other busy moms wanting to volunteer is to “just do it.” “There’s truly a place for everyone who wants to help,” Murray said. “Even if you only have an hour to spare each week.”
