Fourteen-year-old Patty Barton, or Patty Sue to her dad, has had the ‘typical’ teenage relationship with her parents, she said. There are ups and downs, but she always expected her parents would be there.

That is until November 2024, when her dad suffered a heart attack. A shock to her family of six. Her father, Zach Barton, stayed in the hospital for 11 days and underwent triple bypass surgery.

“After Dad’s heart attack, he and I got a lot closer,” Patty said. “I realized I wasn’t going to take things for granted anymore.”

Patty has been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and is preparing to receive her Silver Award, one of the highest achievements in Girl Scouting involving a community issue that requires at least 50 hours of volunteer service.

Patty’s project is one she advocated for

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