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OLD BRIDGE ­ Five Girl Scout troops based out of M. Scott Carpenter Elementary School have set out to make the world a better place. The approximately 50 girls from troops 43, 595, 367, 1520 and 1913 spent yesterday afternoon planting flowers among the new garden of plants and dogwood trees in front of the school as part of "Make the World a Better Place Day."

The Girl Scouts wanted to create the garden as a way of giving something in return for the support school Principal Jack Philips has shown them through the years, according to troop leaders. It also serves as a way to beautify their meeting place, and the girls earn their petals and triads for the work.

On May 10, the girls will host a ceremony to dedicate the newly planted garden to Philips, as well as the school faculty, students and families.

The trees will be decorated with yellow ribbons to pay tribute to the men and women overseas. The entire ceremony has been written by the girls, expressing their commitment to doing good acts throughout the Old Bridge community. Guest speakers will include Mayor James Phillips and Superintendent of Schools Simon Bosco. The event will include a rededication in which the girls express the intent to return to the Scouts next year and continue the good deeds.

A majority of the girls began as Daisy Scouts at 5 years old and continue the service through high school. For example, Michelle Witkowski, a senior at Old Bridge High School, has been a Scout for the past 12 years and has earned her Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. She earned her Gold by designing a brand-new program called "Oceans Discoveries" in order to educate Scouts and others of marine life.

The girls from Cadet Troup No. 1913 started a Carpenter School in kindergarten and are now in seventh grade. They earned their Bronze Award by organizing a blood drive that benefited the township.

All the troops make greeting cards for residents of the Summerhill Assisted Living facility as well as friends, family members and teachers. They also collect toys for the children during the holiday season. They also collect personal items that are distributed to organizations to help the needy in the community.

Many businesses in Old Bridge have pitched in to help the girls present their ceremony. Jay Eriv, president of Grounds Keeper on Route 516 in Old Bridge, supplied the trees, plants, flowers and landscaping materials used for the project, and also taught the girls about planting. John Reggio, owner of Sign-A-Rama, Route 516, donated the dedication sign in the garden, while Staples, Route 9, supplied the programs.

Fifty Off Cards, located in the Ticetown Plaza, donated the yellow ribbon, while Carvel, Route 516, donated ice cream for the event. ShopRite of Old Bridge and A&P of Old Bridge supplied the troops with beverages to be given out at the hospitality table, where the girls will sell baked goods.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 3:30 p.m. May 10 in front of the Carpenter School, 1 Par Ave., off Cindy Street.