One of the slogans for the Girl Scouts of the USA is “do a good turn daily” – an admirable goal for people of all ages.

Some people get into community service and helping others through their involvement in school programs, church and community groups, or as part of workplace programs mandated by their employers.

But for others, the instinct to help is a thing of pure instinct, a natural part of their personality that finds expression in everything they do.

Like Grace Beeman.

For one so young, she has already developed a remarkable sense of charity and generosity.

The 10-year-old Girl Scout was this week congratulated by her troop for selling more than 250 boxes of cookies in the Girl Scout cookie drive currently taking place around Issaquah and Sammamish.

But what is extraordinary about Grace is not necessarily her sales success, but her own personal drive to take the Girl Scouts mission of community service to the next level.

Grace joined Girl Scout troop 41938 last year. Having recently moved schools, she thought it would be a good way to meet some other girls her age and get involved in the things she likes doing, like camping, community activities, and learning new things.

Like many Girl Scouts, Grace knew she could probably sell a few boxes of cookies to her parent’s work colleagues. But rather than just hand her parents the order forms and leave it at that, Grace wrote a special e-mail letter to the people in her dad’s office, explaining why she loved being a Girl Scout and helping her community, and some of the things that the cookie sales enabled them to do.

Her effort did not go unnoticed. One colleague was so touched that they bought 120 boxes of cookies, to be donated to whoever Grace thought needed them the most. She decided to give 60 boxes to the families of military servicemen and women, at home and abroad, and 60 boxes to an organization called “Olive Crest.”

Olive Crest is a foster care and advocacy group with the mission of preventing child abuse and keeping children in stable and supportive homes. For Grace, helping children who don’t have what she has – a loving family – is something she cares deeply about.

Last year Grace and her family travelled to iThemba, near Durban in South Africa, where they provided relief for local workers at an orphanage. The experience was one that would have a great impact on the young Discovery Elementary School student.

“I remember that they didn’t have very much. They didn’t have all the toys and things like my own house does,” she said. “But they weren’t sad. Everyone was happy, and nice. We were there to play with the kids who didn’t get any visitors.”

Grace’s mom, Wendy, said that of all the things Grace and her three brothers did in Africa – seeing wild animals in Botswana, checking out Victoria Falls – hanging out with the children at the impoverished orphanage in iThemba was their favorite.

“I asked them, ‘if you could have only done one of things we did during our trip, which would you chose?'” Wendy Beeman said. “They all said ‘the orphange.’ We’re going back later this year.”

When Grace found out she could donate boxes of cookies to whoever she felt needed them, the first place she thought of was the orphanage in iThemba.

“But the chocolate would have melted by the time they got there,” Grace said with a grin.

Instead, she found somewhere closer to home that was looking after children less-fotunate than herself – Olive Crest.

Wendy said that Grace has always been one of those children with an innately charitable spirit.

“It’s fun having a child who is always wanting to do things like this, unsolicited,” she said. “She loves to help and get involved. It’s beautiful to see.”

Wendy said that for the last few years, when Grace’s birthday rolls around she shies away from the idea of presents for herself, instead urging friends and families to buy a gift donation from World Vision, or contribute to a local charity.

Troop 41938 is doing a great job keeping up with the community-minded energy of its young stars like Grace. In the past few months they have provided support for the Humane Society, launched a sock drive for homeless people in the area, cooked a hot meal for the residents of Tent City, planned a food drive for local food banks, and started the “Hugs for Heroes” program to show their appreciation for war veterans.

Congratulations Grace, and all of the Girl Scouts on the Eastside doing cool things in their community, and reaching out to those who need your help.