Meet Isabella: Youth Leader Helps Simpson, Works Toward Eagle Scout Rank 

Sixteen-year-old Isabella Tunney, one of the first girls to be admitted into Boy Scouts of America, is also on her way to becoming one of the first girls in the United States to achieve the highest honor in the organization, the Eagle Scout rank. Working toward achieving this goal by September, she has designed and organized a community service project, a month-long donation drive to benefit Simpson Housing Services. 

This rising junior at St. Paul Academy is a natural leader with a heart for helping people experiencing homelessness. Volunteering with Simpson since the age of six, she is pleased to select the agency as the beneficiary of her donation drive. 

“I knew I wanted to do something to help the homeless,” she says. “I’ve been volunteering with Simpson as long as I can remember. It was all of my experiences of serving meals at the shelter with family, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, neighborhood groups, and my school that led me to choose Simpson for my project.”  

I have good memories of volunteering at the shelter. Everyone was so kind and appreciative. The guests just wanted to talk. To sit down at a table to hear about their day and ask about yours. To be acknowledged and heard. It’s the smallest and most important thing we can do. I’m glad I could share my company and my time.” 

During her July 2020 donation drive, Isabella is collecting shower shoes, pillows, books, magazines, arts and crafts supplies, and handwritten cards with messages of care for Simpson guests and participants.  Items may be delivered to selected community drop-off sites at the end of the month or picked up curbside upon request. 

Isabella has created a donation project website, a video highlighting Simpson’s work and her service project, and a detailed plan for picking up, organizing, and delivering donations to Simpson. She is grateful for the involvement of her Troop #5384 members of Richfield, Minnesota and the community to help support guests and participants at Simpson. 

“I just want to encourage everyone to help in any way they can. By giving a smile and acknowledging someone in need, or to give a donation.” Everyone goes through hardship. I love that Simpson helps people take the next step forward to find affordable housing. Everyone just needs help and love. If we give that respect, we can go a very long way as a community.” 

Click here to access Isabella’s donation drive website and video.

Thank you to Isabella and Scouts of Boy Scouts of America Troop #5384 for your support of Simpson Housing Services.