Reyna Kawamura, a rising senior at Claremont High School and a long-time Girl Scout with Troop 6884, is aiming to address the mental and emotional health of those affected by the recent Los Angeles County wildfires with her Gold Award project.

Kawamura recently partnered with Los Angeles nonprofit Baby2Baby to put on “books and bears.” Donations of new books and teddy bears for children up to age 12 are being accepted through the fall at Boon Companion Toys, 145 N. Harvard Ave., and Sanctuary Coffee, 863 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont. Look for the labeled collection boxes. Financial donations are also accepted.

The Gold Award project requires a scout to identify a community issue, partner with a local organization, and develop a solution to address the issue.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to focus on poverty for my project,” Kawamura wrote in an email. “After some research, I found Baby2Baby, an LA-based nonprofit organization whose purpose, values, and work aligned with how I want to lead change in our community.” The drive will help children who “still have unmet mental and emotional needs while experiencing and recovering from tremendous stress and loss.”

Email gstroop6884@gmail.com for more info.