Girl Scout raises $5K for fire victims

Lacey DeCarmine, a seventh grader at Islip Middle School, a member of the National Junior Honor Society and Girl Scout since kindergarten, was recently honored by Islip Town supervisor Angie Carpenter at Islip Town Hall on Monday, June 28, for her tremendous effort in helping a local family in need.

In March 2020, DeCarmine’s neighbors endured a devastating fire at their mobile home and had lost everything. The couple was displaced from their home and had no financial resources to get back on track, as there was no insurance on the mobile home.

One of the neighbors is a veteran who was left disabled after a devastating stroke. 

DeCarmine was at her desk in her room watching the smoke and flames, and describes “feeling helpless” in that moment.

Motivated by the traumatic scene, DeCarmine went to her mother Linda, and insisted that she do something to help the victims of the ravaging fire she had just witnessed.

Linda started a GoFundMe account in her daughter’s name (as minors cannot head GoFundMe drives), but DeCarmine monitored the results and sent out individual notes of thanks to each person who donated.

DeCarmine raised $5,620 for the couple and they were able to get a new mobile home.

Due to the pandemic, the check had to be delivered contactless, but the couple sent a heartwarming photo to DeCarmine holding a homemade “Thank You” sign while they wept at the kind gesture from the young lady.

DeCarmine has a long history of humanitarian initiatives, even as only a 12 year old.

In fifth grade, she earned her bronze award by leading a pet food drive for the Islip Animal Shelter, where she also built a cat scratching post, a cat house, and a cat shelf.

Carpenter said, “Lacey’s motivation to help a neighborhood family in need after a devastating house fire is a true testament to her character. At an early age, she has set an example for others to follow, and we are so very proud of her. Lacey has a bright future ahead and we wish her much success.”