Improvements to Retail Experience Continue
February 19, 2010
Improvements to Retail Experience Continue
February 19, 2010
Improvements to the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania retail experience continue and we are pleased to share the following updates with you:
New Online Store Coming Soon
Plans to unveil the new “look and feel” of the online store are still on track for late March/early April. We appreciate your patience as we continue to work diligently to pull together a new online experience that will make it easier for you to find the Girl Scout essential materials you want and need 24 hours a day/7 days a week with minimal extra steps.
Free Shipping Continues Through March 21
While the new online store is still in process, free shipping has once again been extended and will be applied to all orders placed through March 21, 2010.
New Store Hours
Beginning on March 1, 2010, the Council store in Harrisburg will have new hours and will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm.
Phone Orders
Not an internet shopper, but still want the convenience of placing your order from your home or office? Also beginning March 1, 2010, our friendly retail staff will be available to assist with your phone orders Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.
More in the Works
Future shipping charges on online and phone orders are still under consideration as is the feasibility of offering a variety of payment options on online and phone orders (checks, troop accounts, cookie dough, etc). Plans to pilot the traveling trunk are also moving forward and we’ll continue to keep you posted on our progress.
As always, your opinion continues to be important to us and we encourage you to share your feedback at http://www.gshpa.org/feedback.html.
Marion Alexander will be receiving a 2010 Jefferson Award
November 20, 2009
It is my pleasure to pass along to those of you who haven’t heard, news of a great honor being bestowed on one of our board members. On October 29, Marion Alexander will be receiving a 2010 Jefferson Award at a dinner being held at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel. WGAL 8, PSECU and several area United Ways join together each year to honor local volunteers with The Jefferson Awards. The Jefferson Awards recognize the highest ideals and achievements in the field of public service in the Susquehanna Valley. Founded in 1973, they were named after Thomas Jefferson because of his insight into the value of public service and his belief in the importance of giving of ones self to help others in need. This special award highlights the countless private individuals who are performing extraordinary public services in their local communities. Some are paid; others are volunteers; most are unrecognized. The Jefferson Award is a 2 1/2 inch proof medallion, gold on silver, featuring a replica of the Seal of the United States on the front and “In Recognition of Outstanding Public Service” on the reverse. The Jefferson Awards are donated as a public service by the Franklin Mint. We all know how hard Marion works on behalf of GSHPA, most notably as co-chair of our Fund Development Committee. Marion has also served on the boards of a number of other community organizations including the United Way of the Capital Region, Whitaker Center, Allied Arts, Susquehanna Art Museum, Goodwill, Family and Children’s Services, YWCA, and Dauphin County Library System. Marion has received a number of recognitions for her work in the community including the Community Supporter of the Arts Award in 2003, Central Pennsylvania Fund Raising Council Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2002, Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award in 1997, John Baum Humanitarian Award in 1996, and the Community Child Advocate Award in 1995. Please join me in congratulating Marion on this much deserved honor. Kate
Farewell to a Lifelong Girl Scout
August 31, 2009
Click for» Farewell to a Lifelong Girl Scout:
A look back at the life of Ginny Denn, who was a Girl Scout for more than 70 years!
Ginny, as she was known to friends and family, joined Girl Scouts when she was 10 years old and made a career in Girl Scouting, serving professionally since 1953.
Denn served as an administrative director for Girl Scouts of America her entire working career.
GSHPA Scholarship Committee
April 10, 2009
[The following is from Anne M. Reitzes, our Chief Operating Officer. If anyone is interested, please contact Anne directly.]
Hi Rod,
We have a few spots available for CAN volunteers that would like to join the GSHPA Scholarship Committee.
Those that are interested would be asked to help review the girl applications and select the scholarship recipients.
The scholarship committee will meet the evening of May 20th in Pine Grove to select the recipients.
Prior to that meeting the committee members will review the applications on their own so that the face to face committee meeting is focused on selecting the final recipients.
Would you mind forwarding this information to the CAN distribution list?
Any CAN volunteer that is interested in serving on this committee this year should contact me.
Thank you, Rod!
Anne
Anne M. Reitzes, M.Ed.
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Service Center | 350 Hale Avenue | Harrisburg, PA 17104
Toll Free: 800.692.7816 x1003 | Fax: 717.234.5097
Girl Scouts in Leadership
March 17, 2009
From: Kathy Cloninger, National CEO
Subject: White House Council on Women and Girls
Date: March 12, 2009
Yesterday, President Obama signed an Executive Order to create the White House Council on Women and Girls to establish a coordinated federal response to issues that particularly impact the lives of women and girls. The Council will ensure that federal programs and policies address the distinctive concerns of women and girls, and reach out to nonprofit organizations and other agencies and officials that can assist with the Council’s development..
At the signing, President Obama said: “So now it’s up to us … to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements — and that they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers never dreamed of. That’s the purpose of this Council.”
Girl Scouts is very excited about the Council and was pleased to be present at the President’s announcement yesterday; in fact, we are a founding mother. While the proposal to the White House for a council on women came from a group of 40 women’s organizations, Girl Scouts of the USA proposed a commission on girls. The Council is a combination of both ideas. It is our expectation to work closely with key players in the Council and the White House. In that spirit, tomorrow we are having a conference call with Valerie Jarrett, Chair of the Council, and the Council’s Executive Director.
I have attached the Executive Order the President signed as well as the remarks he made, which are pasted below. If you have any thoughts about this Council, please contact Laurie A. Westley, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Advocacy and the Research Institute at LWestley@girlscouts.org.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release March 11, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT SIGNING OF EXECUTIVE ORDER
CREATING THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS
East Room
1:31 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Well, today, as we continue our celebration of International Women’s History Month, I’m proud to sign this executive order establishing the women’s — the White House Council on Women and Girls. It’s a Council with a mission that dates back to our founding: to fulfill the promise of our democracy for all our people.
I sign this order not just as a President, but as a son, a grandson, a husband, and a father, because growing up, I saw my mother put herself through school and follow her passion for helping others. But I also saw how she struggled to raise me and my sister on her own, worrying about how she’d pay the bills and educate herself and provide for us.
I saw my grandmother work her way up to become one of the first women bank vice presidents in the state of Hawaii, but I also saw how she hit a glass ceiling — how men no more qualified than she was kept moving up the corporate ladder ahead of her.
I’ve seen Michelle, the rock of the Obama family — (laughter) — juggling work and parenting with more skill and grace than anybody that I know. But I also saw how it tore at her at times, how sometimes when she was with the girls she was worrying about work, and when she was at work she was worrying about the girls. It’s a feeling that I share every day.
In so many ways, the stories of the women in my life reflect the broader story of women in this country — a story of both unyielding progress and also untapped potential.
Today, women make up a growing share of our workforce and the majority of students in our colleges and our law schools. Women are breaking barriers in every field, from science and business to athletics and the Armed Forces. Women are serving at the highest levels of my administration. And we have Madam Speaker presiding over our House of Representatives. (Applause.) I had the privilege of participating in a historic campaign with a historic candidate, who we now have the privilege of calling Madam Secretary.
But at the same time, when women still earn just 78 cents for every dollar men make; when one in four women still experiences domestic violence in their lifetimes; when women are more than half of our population, but just 17 percent of our Congress; when women are 49 percent of the workforce, but only 3 percent of our Fortune 500 CEOs — when these inequalities stubbornly persist in this country, in this century, then I think we need to ask ourselves some hard questions. I think we need to take a hard look at where we’re falling short, and who we’re leaving out, and what that means for the prosperity and the vitality of our nation.
And I want to be very clear: These issues are not just women’s issues. When women make less than men for the same work, it hurts families who find themselves with less income, and have to work harder just to get by. When a job doesn’t offer family leave, that also hurts men who want to help care for a new baby or an ailing parent. When there’s no affordable child care, that hurts children who wind up in second-rate care, or spending afternoons alone in front of the television set.
And when any of our citizens cannot fulfill their potential because of factors that have nothing to do with their talent, their character, their work ethic, that says something about the state of our democracy. It says something about whether we’re honoring those words put on paper more than two centuries ago — whether we’re doing our part, like generations before us, to breathe new life into them in our time.
That, above all, is the true purpose of our government. Not to guarantee our success, but to ensure that in America, all things are still possible for all people. Not to solve all our problems, but to ensure that we all have the chance to pursue our own version of happiness. To give our daughters the chance to achieve as greatly as the women who join us today. That’s the impact our government can have.
It’s the impact of a Health and Human Services Department that funds research by women like Dr. Nina Fedoroff, a biotechnology and life science pioneer — (applause) — who won the National Medal of Science in 2006. It’s the impact of a Defense Department that works to recruit and promote women — women, so that women like Sergeant Major Michele Jones, who was the Army’s highest ranking enlisted woman before she retired, can strengthen our military with their leadership. (Applause.)
It’s the impact of a Department of Education that enforces Title IX, so athletes like — (applause) — so athletes like Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes and Lisa Leslie — (applause) — have a level playing field to compete and to win. It’s the impact of a White House and a Congress that fight for legislation like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, so that all women can get paid what they deserve. (Applause.) I’m very proud this was the very first bill that I signed into law.
And that’s why I’m establishing this Council — not just to continue efforts like these, but to enhance them. The Council will be composed of the heads of every Cabinet and Cabinet-level agency, and will meet on a regular basis. We have many of those Cabinet members here. Some of the men showed up — we put them in the second row. (Laughter.) But they’re going to be fighting — (applause) — they’re going to be part of this Council, and it’s going to meet on a regular basis.
Its purpose is very simple: to ensure that each of the agencies in which they’re charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create, the legislation they support. It’s not enough to only have individual women’s offices at individual agencies, or only have one office in the White House. Rather, as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said, in our government, “¼responsibility for the advancement of women is not the job of any one agency, it’s the job of all of them.” (Applause.) And she should know — she helped lead an interagency women’s initiative during the Clinton administration.
At the same time, given the critical importance of its work, this Council must have strong leadership from the White House, and direct accountability to me. And that’s why I’m appointing Valerie Jarrett, one of my closest advisors and most senior members of my administration, to lead it. Tina Tchen, another senior member of my White House staff, will serve as the Council’s Executive Director.
In the end, while many of the challenges women and girls face are new, the work of this Council is not — it’s been with us for generations. Frances Perkins, who was President Franklin Roosevelt’s Secretary of Labor, and the first woman to serve in the Cabinet — a great hero of the New Deal — described it well when she said, “¼I had a kind of duty to other women to walk in and sit down on the chair that was offered, and so establish the rights of others long hence and far distant in geography to sit in the high seats.” To sit in the high seats.
That is why I’m standing here today, because of what my mother and grandmother did for me, because of their hard work and sacrifice and unflagging love. That’s what Michelle is doing right now, thinking every day about making sure that Malia and Sasha have the same opportunities as anybody’s sons do. That’s why so many of us are here today, because of the women who came before us, who were determined to see us sit in the high seats: women who reached for the ballot, and raised families, and traveled long, lonely roads to be the first in the boardroom or in the courtroom or on the battlefield and in the factory floor; women who cracked and shattered those glass ceilings, so that my daughters — and all of our sons and daughters — could dream a little bigger and reach a little higher.
So now it’s up to us to carry that work forward, to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements — and that they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers never dreamed of. That’s the purpose of this Council. Those are the priorities of my presidency. And I look forward to working with all of you to fulfill them in the months and years to come.
All right, so I’m going to go sign this thing. Thank you very much..
eowomenandgirls
GSHPA kudos!
January 9, 2009
[We celebrate a job well done by our dear friend Cindy! Please note below!]
Rod,
Perhaps you want to notify the GIRLS CAN group about the Blue Ribbon Foundation Wellness grant GSHPA received. It’s listed on the cover page of this newsletter.
Cindy Garren
Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA
Director of Community Development – Northeast Region
242 Airport Road
Hazleton, PA 18201
570.501.2604 ext 1403 NEW EXTENSION
570.501.2325 fax
1-800-692-7816
“In Girl Scouts, leadership isn’t just about building future leaders–it’s about building girl leaders for today.”
Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the United States
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 4:00 PM
Subject: The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania – January 2009 E-newsletter
|
Health and Wellness Grants |
|
Foundation Grants Just Approved |
|
Health and Wellness Mini-Grants: Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania The “Shape Up Stars” Healthy Living Program is designed to positively influence lifestyle choices in girls ages 5 to 17. Small group sessions are used to raise girls’ awareness and teach them techniques for substance free living, healthy eating, active living, personal safety and emotional well-being. The Foundation’s grant will be used to deliver the program to 250 female students in five school districts across five counties.Sullivan County Victim Services will partner with all schools in the Sullivan County School District to offer age-appropriate education on topics such as bullying, anger management, domestic violence, Internet safety and sexual assault to 700 students, grades K through 12. |
survey
January 8, 2009
Please take just a few minutes to complete this GSHPA survey; it is most important that the Girls CAN! group take part in this task.
This invitation comes from our good friend Jonathan.
we will be moving to a regionalized structure
November 8, 2008
[this post sent in by Stephanie]
November 7, 2008
Dear Volunteers,
Today, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania announced to staff that we will be reducing the staff team by about 30 staff members. We are saddened by the change but it is necessary to control costs and manage the budget. We are committed to not spending more money than we bring in; a balanced budget is necessary for our Girl Scout Council.
In order to enhance service to our volunteers, girls and the communities we serve, we will be moving to a regionalized structure. This structure was determined by our membership numbers, girls 5-17 years of age population, and opportunity for increased local funding opportunities.
The regions are defined as follows:
* West Region: 5 Counties – Clinton, Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Juniata; 1 office located in Centre County (19,000 total available girls)
* Central Region: 8 Counties – Lycoming, Sullivan, Columbia, Montour, Schuylkill, Northumberland, Union, Snyder; 1 office located in Lycoming County (39,000 total available girls)
* North Region: 8 Counties – Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe; 2 offices – 1 in Lackawanna, 1 in Luzerne (73,000 total available girls)
* South Central Region: 6 Counties – Lebanon, Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland, Fulton, Franklin; 1 office in Dauphin County (68,000 total available girls)
* South Region: 3 Counties – Adams, York, Lancaster; 3 offices – 1 in each county (82,000 available girls.)
Any volunteer or family may utilize any Service Center that is convenient to them.
As we move forward, we anticipate many changes. We will be reaching out to you and our volunteer teams and committees to solicit your feedback and assistance in developing a structure that will meet your needs. We look forward to your ideas about moving the council forward.
From now through January 5, the management teams will be working to staff our new regional structure. Once the new structure is in place, there will be additional change as we adjust our way of work. With such a large reduction of staff, some of the core functions will be reduced or eliminated and we will look to our volunteers teams to assist us in many of the decisions.
While we have not finalized all the details of what is to come, we continue to be committed to you, the girls and members of GSHPA. More information will follow as it is available.
Thank you for ALL you do for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and our girls.
The Girl Scout Gold Award
August 19, 2008
Published: Sunday, September 28, 2008 12:00 PM EDT
By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, a senior Girl Scout has demonstrated her special commitment to excellence in herself, her community and her future.
Recipients must complete several activities covering career exploration, leadership skills, community service and specialized interest projects.
This step is followed by a comprehensive project selected and designed by the recipient based on her skills and interests.
Pierson earned the Girl Scout Gold Award under the leadership of Fran Moriarty.
As a Girl Scout, Pierson volunteered her time at several community service projects and helped lead other Girl Scout troops.
Pierson, daughter of Joseph and Diane Pierson, is a senior at Pittston Area High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society.
The high school senior also participates in the drama, international cultural experience, journalism, book and technology clubs.
Pierson also volunteers her time as a candy striper at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
She will attend Bloomsburg University next year.
***
Trio of Mountain Top Girl Scouts receive prestigious Gold Award
Projects that benefited the community and organizations that help victims of violence have earned three young women from Mountain Top the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.
Recipients of the award were Sara Shaffer, Anna Jo Scutt and Samantha Ruppert, all members of Girl Scout Troop 3362.Janet MacKay, executive director of the Victims Resource Center, told me the art supplies are greatly appreciated by the agency and will be used in support groups it facilitates for young women who have been the victim of sexual and physical violence.
“It was all torn and tattered, but it was still flying. We knew it shouldn’t be displayed in that condition,” she related.
Shirley Valentine-Attoh, interim executive officer of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, noted the young women are among only three percent of Girl Scouts across the country who have earned the Gold Award.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout may earn.
For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from “going for the Gold” set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.
Throughout Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, girls are taking action to solve problems and improve their communities.
Here are just a few examples of local Girl Scouts making the world a better place:
Brook Aby of Newville hosted an Easter Family Fun Day, a family event for those in need in her community. It included an egg hunt, crafts, an Easter meal and a take home box of food items, along with Easter goodies for children.
Abigayle Acker of Harrisburg, along with 3 other Girl Scout members, designed a project entitled Women helping Women (Laundry Room Transformation). She transformed a laundry room in the Shalom House from a poorly lit, unorganized, inefficient space to an institutionalized area where residents could wash and fold their clothing. Cabinets were added for the storage of cleaning products and hooks were hung for clothing.
Katelyn Aldinger of York organized and publicized a community blood drive. She educated younger Girl Scouts about the importance of giving blood.
Samantha Allegretto of White Haven held a community day at her local Relay for Life fundraiser. It included games, music, and a picnic to raise awareness for and celebrate cancer survivors.
Devin Andren of Harrisburg presented “For the Love of Theater,” workshops that developed an interest in theater arts in children at a younger age. During a four week period, children learned about acting, dancing, costumes and makeup, and how to audition for a show. The workshops’ culmination included excerpts from Disney’s High School Musical performed by the participants.
Elizabeth Andrews of Bear Creek collected books, shelving, pillows, and stools to set up a reading area at the Salvation Army Kirby House. She also organized all the books and reading times for child patrons.
Sarah Barnes of Biglerville interviewed and photographed local war veterans. She framed their information and placed them on mobile walls that may be displayed in military organizations throughout the community.
Katie Baum of Mifflinburg renovated the West End Fair Rabbit Barn. New cages, support beams and a waste removal system were put in place to ensure rabbit safety.
Terra Becker of York educated the public about service dogs. Her goal was to help the community understand the need for and benefits of service dogs.
Rebecca Beers of Gardners instructed volunteers on how to sew draw-string bags that were filled with personal care items for women staying in a community shelter.
Elyse Bell of Harrisburg hosted an Easter Bible school which provided the opportunity for children learn about the Easter Bunny and other Easter traditions.
Danielle Bennett of Laceyville presented Teen Girl 101, a day long seminar for girls in 5th and 6th grades with hands-on activities about beauty, hygiene, nutrition, babysitting, martial arts, and aerobics.
Alicia Berkoski of York, through games and exercise videos, taught children ages three to twelve key concepts about physical fitness and healthy eating. The children also learned how to prepare healthy snacks.
Hannah Biskup of Wapwallopen held a book drive and story hour for patients at a community children’s hospital. She also developed several story hour presentations and a step-by-step manual for Girl Scout troops interested in planning and implementing future programs at the hospital.
Allyson Blizman of Wilkes-Barre organized a vacation Bible school for the children of her church and surrounding parishes.
Amanda Blum of Jim Thorpe directed a vacation Bible school to educate children about the fundamentals of their religion.
Emily Bowman of Harrisburg constructed and planted a biblical herb garden at Tree of Life Lutheran Church. The area had to be cleared, tilled, and filled with composted soil. Pathways were outlined and bricks were laid. The herbs grown from the garden will be used in cooking, as crafts for children, and as decorations for the church.
Rachel Bradley of Harrisburg arranged for professional artists to instruct elementary school students in acrylic painting, collage, drawing techniques, and journal writing.
Nicole Brandt of Dallastown created books in English and Spanish for children staying in a community hospital. The books provided information on some of the tests and experiences the children would encounter during their stay.
Liz Brown of Milton held a book drive for two parochial schools in her area that were in need of new reading material. She also set up a reading program for kindergarten aged students.
Mira Brunner of Mapleton Depot created a play area to provide a private and safe place for clients of Children’s Services of Huntingdon County to have visitations. The area features a fence, tree house, swing set, and toys.
Caitlin Case of Harrisburg organized a Pilot Olympics fly-in in an effort to increase awareness of Angel Flight and to recruit more volunteer pilots, specifically in rural Pennsylvania. Angel Flight pilots donate their time and aircraft by transporting patients and donated organs to distant medical facilities.
Stephanie Conrad of York created pamphlets for the York County Heritage Trust that the trust can offer to tourists.
Stephanie Cornwell of Lancaster directed members of her school’s outdoor club and special education classes in renovating their outdoor classroom. Volunteers cleared rocks and debris, spread mulch, and completed other garden work. A nature walk was created and more seating was added.
Kathryn Crater of Julian set up safety stations at Bellefonte’s street fair. The stations included the Bellefonte EMS, the K-9 unit, first aid kits, and information on what children should do in an emergency.
Cora Crosson of Duncannon organized requests for and collection of donations for victims of domestic violence at local women’s shelters. Health care bags were filled for adults, children, and infants. Donations included food, clothing, and toys, and the effort benefited many victims in a large area.
Heather Davis of Harrisburg, along with 3 other Girl Scout members, designed a project entitled Women Helping Women (Laundry Room Transformation). She transformed a laundry room in the Shalom House from a poorly lit, unorganized, inefficient space to an institutionalized area where residents could wash and fold their clothing. Cabinets were added for the storage of cleaning products and hooks were hung for clothing.
Melissa Dickinson of Dalton honored Robert H. McKune, Scranton’s former mayor, with a ceremony at his gravesite and the placement of an official gravestone. A book was also written about his life and donated to the Lackawanna Historical Society and the local library.
Rebeka Donovan of Dickinson City collected new and used radios, headphones, and batteries and donated them to St. Anthony’s Haven Center to be distributed to the homeless.
Rachel Douglass of York painted a themed mural and hung decorations on the walls of the Lehman center to provide a calming atmosphere for children to unwind before going to bed.
Kayla Drum of Bloomsburg, with 3 other Girl Scouts, established a butterfly memorial garden at the E.O.S. Therapeutic Riding Center to honor dedicated E.O.S. and 4-H members. Situated next to a riding trail for all to see, the garden includes bluebird houses, flowers, and a bench.
Sara Elias of Harrisburg organized a day of outdoor adventure for young ladies, including hands-on lessons and activities featuring hunting, gun safety, fishing, and archery.
Krista Farner of Harrisburg organized and directed the children’s choir in her church when no adult director could be hired. While the choir was previously losing interest and numbers were falling, it now enjoys a healthy roster of eager volunteers who practice weekly.
Renae Fisher of Scranton converted a spare room in the basement of her church into a kid-friendly nursery by remodeling it and collecting new toys and furniture for the room’s new use. An annual Easter egg hunt was instituted at the nursery’s grand opening.
Susan Fisher of Lititz created a book with nouns, verbs, and other words and corresponding images – all backed with Velcro – allowing nonverbal students to express themselves.
Rachel Fleming of Dillsburg, in the absence of other leadership, spearheaded the development of a nature trail for a new park that would be open to youth sports and include a Scout Cabin.
Caitlin Gialouris of Stroudsburg help resuscitate Camp Pocono by painting and planting flowers as well as adding books, puzzles, and games to the camp’s inventory. An open house was held to showcase the camp’s beauty and attract local groups and organizations who might use the camp.
Laura Goodlander of Etters helped the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with a Youth Volunteer Group. The group allowed children to help homeless animals and organize Easter egg hunts, plant flowers, and help at SPCA events.
Erin Gross of Wrightsville created a prayer garden outside her church. Erin designed the garden and presented plans to the congregation, inviting them to donate plants in memory of loved ones. The congregation was glad to have the garden, located in an area that had been unsightly, and plans to do more landscaping.
Melissa Gundersen of Gouldsboro created three sets of CD audio libraries for children as part of the Let Me Tell You a Story program. Each library had 33 storied read by different narrators, recorded, and edited. The libraries were then donated to hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House where children are waiting for surgery or treatment or are waiting for siblings to have treatment.
Katie Harper of Dauphin, with 2 other Girl Scouts, plotted and mapped a cemetery and created maps to replace the outdated ones. The information was then entered into a computer system so that the records could be kept up-to-date.
Allyson Hemma of Danville improved her high school’s sports complex by painting and upgrading sports fields and dugouts. The work was coordinated with the school system and benefited the school and the greater community.
Mary Beth Henry of Preserve developed a resource library at the Pocono Lake United Methodist Church. The room was refurbished, books were donated, shelves were added, and a mural depicting diversity and cooperation was painted. The books were inventoried, and a lending system was created.
Nikki Herb of Halifax organized a toy drive for the local Head Start program. The toys were presented to Head Start at a Family Fun Day event where children could come and play games.
Amy Hess of Lancaster provided group violin lessons to third grade students. The lessons included information on various composers, the opportunity to learn new music, and time to play music games.
Rachelle Hinerman of Morgantown built the Jackie M. Fink Memorial Gazebo and added a walkway and flowers. The gazebo provides a scenic location and in the area and memorializes a former Girl Scout leader.
Emily Hoffman of Laceyville organized a basketball program for elementary girls. The girls attended a varsity basketball game, learned basic skills, played games, and enjoyed snacks. They also participated in a month-long clinic to showcase their skills.
Carolyn Holl of Newville, with 2 other Girl Scouts, organized an Easter Family Fun Day for families in need in her community. The day included an egg hunt, crafts, and Easter meal, a box of food for each family to take home, and an Easter treat for the children.
Laura Hopkins of Red Lion helped educate those in her community on the importance of water safety by posting displays at community events and creating a kit for Safe Kids. The project also helped Special Olympians become comfortable in the water.
Amanda Jamieson of Hanover Township cleaned and repainted three rooms at the Episcopal Sunday School. She cleaned the carpets and organized the supply closets and classrooms and painted a mural depicting the 23rd Psalm.
Kristin Jessop of Dauphin led a camp for 150 campers and 100 helpers in a biblical herb garden at the Tree of Life Lutheran Church. The garden, built by another Girl Scout, served as a classroom where Kristin conducted crafts, offered tours, and taught about the plants in the garden.
Lyndsay Jones of Harrisburg designed and executed a six-station health fair for elementary children at a local school and church. Each station taught about a different aspect of a healthy lifestyle and included journaling about healthy eating and exercise habits, trying healthy snack foods, adjusting portion sizes, game stations, exercise stations, and computer lab stations.
Laura Kale of Myerstown replaced broken, damaged, and worn flags and markers at the gravesites veterans in a local cemetery. Younger girls helped by completing a scavenger hunt and learning more about the cemetery.
Darleen Kitrick of Mountain Top organized the “Help the Beat Go On” program, which publicized the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) by organizing events and asking for support to purchase an AED for a facility in her community.
Alexandra Klotz of Jim Thorpe led a “clothing closet” clothes drive at a local church. A dinner event was held for church members, and the price of admission was a donation of clothing for the clothing closet.
Megan Kopec of Wilkes-Barre raised money for Camp Louise by preparing and selling a camp activity booklet with camp songs, camp recipes, camp activities, and games.
Elizabeth Kraft of Seven Valleys built a garden at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York where vegetables, ornamentals, and herbs were planted and displayed to show visitors where their food comes from.
Victoria Kramer of Mountain Top organized the Flowers for Felines and Plants for Puppies program, a beautification project for the county SPCA building. The courtyard and gazebo area was fenced to provide a safe and secure area where pets can roam and potential owners can spend time with their future pets.
Heather Kuntz of Dauphin led a group of volunteers as they made cards and calendars and hand-delivered them to the residents of Loyalton Assisted Living.
Margaret LaBuz of Drums planted 100 Norway spruce seedlings in a two-acre field at the Holy Dormition Monastery where they will someday grow to provide a windbreak, a wildlife habitat, and erosion control.
Melissa Lamson of White Haven coordinated a family picnic with games and activities, music, and food to bring cancer awareness to those in her community. Local churches participated by publicizing their Relay for Life benefit.
Janelle Lawson of Hanover Township helped prepare a neighborhood playground for revitalization and new equipment by painting a mural of the four seasons for visitors to enjoy.
Justine Page Leaman of Peach Bottom instituted a recognition wall in her school’s training room to encourage other students to join and become Student Athletic Trainers. Interested students were trained using a manual that Justine wrote.
Hallie Lyons of Harrisburg constructed straw bale benches at a church garden in downtown Harrisburg. Decorated with peace symbols from a variety of cultures, the area serves as a common gathering place.
Kaitlyn Makara of Lehman prepared a booklet about appropriate behavior around guide dogs and gave demonstrations at local libraries and malls about the dangers of distracting a working guide dog.
Alessa Makuch of Danville cleaned up a cemetery from the 1800s and made a record of all who were buried there. She created a map of the cemetery and published a cemetery information book, both of which were given to the local historical and genealogical society, library, church, and Iron Heritage committee.
Samantha Marquart of Dallas organized and led the Extreme Encounter Vacation Bible School where children from churches in the Back Mountain community learned about the Bible and space flight.
Erica Matrese of Harrisburg, along with 3 other Girl Scout members, renovated the vestibule, stairway, upstairs common area, and hallway at the Women Helping Women building by cleaning, repainting, and decorating them. The group replaced a dilapidated railing and repaired the vanity in the upstairs common area so that it was once again functional.
Melissa McHenry of Bloomsburg, with 3 other Girl Scouts, established a butterfly memorial garden at the E.O.S. Therapeutic Riding Center to honor dedicated E.O.S. and 4-H members. Situated next to a riding trail for all to see, the garden includes bluebird houses, flowers, and a bench.
Christina Mellow of Archbald created an herb garden for the residents of the Lackawanna County Health Care Center. The center began a permanent gardening club and hosted a party and garden show to showcase Christina’s efforts. Christina also wrote and published a book about the center’s residents, providing a means for them to pass along their life stories.
Morgan Miller of Gettysburg organized the Blankets for Babies program which taught volunteers how to crochet blankets and hats for babies. The blankets and hats were then give to babies in low-income neighborhoods.
Heather Mines of Dallas led a Halloween-themed activity night in support of the community library and collected supplies for the children’s activities at the library.
Sarah Mink of Stroudsburg, with 2 of her fellow Girl Scouts, made their church’s youth meeting room more welcoming to teens by painting, decorating, and adding new furniture. The group created a marketing campaign to attract more teens, lesson plans, paintings, hands-on exhibits, and a prayer wall.
Tessa Minnich of Harrisburg and a fellow Girl Scout, organized a free community fair with food, games, a smoke house, fire trucks, and ambulance, local emergency personnel, a petting zoo, health vendors, first aid, entertainment, and prayer teams.
Angela Misuraca of Mt. Pocono invited underprivileged girls to a Prom Expo where they received makeup lessons, makeup samples, dance lessons, and a prom dress. Dresses were also given to a special education class for use at their prom.
Amanda Moser of Kulpmont collected personal hygiene and laundry products and prepared care packages for teens in crisis.
Adrienne Moyer of Watsontown educated the public with presentations about choosing a new dog, dog care, and prevention of bites. She also provided a brochure to raise awareness about puppy mills.
Sara Myers of Aspers led the Letters to Home program, which sent homemade cards and stationery to military personnel serving abroad. The soldiers could use the stationery to keep in touch with loved ones at home.
Jackie Naydock of Schuylkill Haven began and led the Kidz Korner activities at two Relay for Life locations. The activities revolve around cancer control and answer many questions that children have about cancer.
Krista Nicoletto of Bloomsburg, with 3 other Girl Scouts, established a butterfly memorial garden at the E.O.S. Therapeutic Riding Center to honor dedicated E.O.S. and 4-H members. Situated next to a riding trail for all to see, the garden includes bluebird houses, flowers, and a bench.
Ashton Novinger of Millersburg supported the Ambulance Association by organizing a cheerleading day camp where girls brought blankets or a new stuffed animal to comfort children during emergency situations.
Mary Paschke of York constructed a puppet theater and a puppet craft for the campers at the Association of Retarded Citizens of York County’s (ARC) day camp.
Kathleen Patchoksi of Scranton taught groups of youth to latch hook and took their finished pieces to the UCP where residents painted the frames.
Stacy Prelewicz of Wapwallopen and two other Girl Scouts constructed a beach volleyball court at a local park where teens had previously had little to do in the community. The girls also organized a community ceremony for the opening of the court to the public.
Meredith Price of Dauphin, with 2 other Girl Scouts, plotted and mapped a cemetery and created maps to replace the outdated ones. The information was then entered into a computer system so that the records could be kept up-to-date.
Amanda Raup of Harrisburg headed efforts to add a pavilion and sidewalk to a church in order to provide an outside space for picnics, group meetings, and other church events.
Hilary Reever of York prepared a website and a series of brochures to better prepare those students anticipating student exchange trips to Germany and France. The website allowed students to read about their country of interest and ask questions of former students and chaperones.
Hannah Remaley of Bloomsburg, with 3 other Girl Scouts, established a butterfly memorial garden at the E.O.S. Therapeutic Riding Center to honor dedicated E.O.S. and 4-H members. Situated next to a riding trail for all to see, the garden includes bluebird houses, flowers, and a bench.
Kelly Rose of Wilkes-Barre organized charity baby showers at local churches where items donated items would be given to local women-support centers Volunteers of America and the Pro-Life Center. A local credit union participated by holding a month-long diaper derby, allowing employees to dress down for a work day in exchange for a package of wipes or diapers.
Elizabeth Rosser of Mountain Top and two other Girl Scouts constructed a beach volleyball court at a local park where teens had previously had little to do in the community. The girls also organized a community ceremony for the opening of the court to the public.
Amanda Royer of Elizabethtown established a new student program at the area high school. A welcome bag was created with materials from local businesses, an informational packet was prepared, and the National Honor Service became the official new student tour guides at the school.
Rachel Ruane of Moscow led a program to purchase toys and adapt them so that children with special needs could better play with them.
Kate Sawka and three fellow Girl Scouts built a woodshed for a Girl Scout facility and addressed fire safety by posting rules about the use of wood and fires. The group also created a safety manual and safety videos that troops could use.
Kaitin Sawyer of Dauphin organized a spa day for abused women at the YWCA where they could relax and be pampered. The day included cosmetologists, massage therapists, a motivational speaker, a variety of foods and desserts, and games and crafts for their children.
Jennifer Schaum of Columbia organized a food drive during the spring season when many food banks have empty shelves. The project included motivational events such as wacky hairstyle day, bring a teddy bear to class day, and more at area schools. Jennifer also organized a fast to increase hunger awareness and led efforts to sort and weed out expired foods, non-labeled foods, and improperly sealed items.
Niki Scrudato of Cresco and two fellow Girl Scouts created a courtyard at Shepherds on Monroe County complete with benches, horseshoe pits, and flowers in order to provide an inviting space for assisted living residents to relax and enjoy nature.
Danielle Shughart of Carroll Valley led knitting classes for her community and school where participants learned to make squares and scarves. The squares were made into quilts and were donated to a local hospital while the scarves were given to an Indian Reservation.
Susanna Shuman of Lancaster created a movie in English and Spanish to educate potential patients about all of the services available to them as they face pregnancy. Options presented included exercise classes, counseling, and medical facilities to help women through every step of their pregnancy.
Casey Siegel of Mountain Top and two other Girl Scouts constructed a beach volleyball court at a local park where teens had previously had little to do in the community. The girls also organized a community ceremony for the opening of the court to the public.
Abigail Skelton of Harrisburg designed a Bible school program – including crafts, music, gym, and classroom activities – for the religion education department of her church that could be used for many years and would meet the needs of the local Catholic community.
Beth Ann Sledziewski of Mountain Top and three fellow Girl Scouts built a woodshed for a Girl Scout facility and addressed fire safety by posting rules about the use of wood and fires. The group also created a safety manual and safety videos that troops could use.
Amelia Smith of Dauphin and two other Girl Scouts transferred cemetery records from paper to computer files and trained cemetery board members on how to use and update the system to keep the records current.
Amanda Steinke of Lancaster refurbished a library that had been greatly affected by hurricane Katrina. By conducting a very successful book drive with several participating schools, the drive was able to collect over 5500 books which were then sorted, organized, and shipped to New Orleans.
Laura Sterner of Hanover organized music lessons for preschool students where teachers addressed their fine and gross motors skills, memorization, participation, rhythm, and listening skills. Students also created their own instruments with which they played along to songs.
Stephanie Sterner of Harrisburg and three fellow Girl Scouts transformed the worn, sterile living room area at Women Helping Women into a warm and inviting space by cleaning and painting the room and replacing all of the furniture, lighting, window treatments, and accessories.
Megan Swartwood of Mountain Top and three fellow Girl Scouts built a woodshed for a Girl Scout facility and addressed fire safety by posting rules about the use of wood and fires. The group also created a safety manual and safety videos that troops could use.
Jessica Szoke of White Haven and two other Girl Scout members raised money to buy new equipment and restore Pine Street Park so that area children could have a safe place to play. The girls raised money by working at a street festival and soliciting donors.
Nikita Szoke of White Haven and two other Girl Scout members raised money to buy new equipment and restore Pine Street Park so that area children could have a safe place to play. The girls raised money by working at a street festival and soliciting donors.
Caitlin Thompson of Hanover Township helped cross-country runners by organizing two tours for parents and holding a sneakers/spikes campaign where running shoes were collected, cleaned, and redistributed to runners in need. Caitlin also gave her time to be the team’s manager and keep statistics for runners during practices and meets.
Jacqueline Togno of Stroudsburg, with 2 of her fellow Girl Scouts, made their church’s youth meeting room more welcoming to teens by painting, decorating, and adding new furniture. The group created a marketing campaign to attract more teens, lesson plans, paintings, hands-on exhibits, and a prayer wall.
Michele Togno of Stroudsburg, with 2 of her fellow Girl Scouts, made their church’s youth meeting room more welcoming to teens by painting, decorating, and adding new furniture. The group created a marketing campaign to attract more teens, lesson plans, paintings, hands-on exhibits, and a prayer wall.
Jordan Trout of Harrisburg performed two puppet shows and puppet workshops for underprivileged children. Children constructed two of their own puppets and played with them using the puppet stage.
Caitlin Truschel of Mountain Top organized two events that collected blood and books. Book collection boxes were placed in various locations, and students were recruited to read to young children throughout the region.
Amanda Wagner of Millmont led a fall fun day at the West End Library to introduce youth to the new library and encourage reading. Children participated in crafts, read to a therapy dog, and received a book to take home.
Megan Wenk of Lakewood organized a recruitment plan to attract new members to the local fire company. A book about the history of the fire company was created, and a teddy bear collection was organized to replenish the supply of bears for children in emergency situations.
Heather Wenk of Lakewood, with the help of the local EMA, created an identification badge system for the Northern Wayne Fire Company, ambulance association, and ladies auxiliary.
Hannah Wentworth of Quarryville made presentations to several elementary schools emphasizing the importance of consuming dairy products and leading a healthy lifestyle. Children were challenged to keep track of all of the dairy food they ate, and they learned and sang a song written by Hannah. She also worked with the school district food service director to get two milk vending machines installed at the high school.
Madeline Wescott of Cresco and two fellow Girl Scouts created a courtyard at Shepherds on Monroe County complete with benches, horseshoe pits, and flowers in order to provide an inviting space for assisted living residents to relax and enjoy nature.
Erin Wolfe of New Ringgold led Camp Aquarius, a camp showing girls how fun Girl Scouting can be and what different things Girl Scouts can participate in.
Sara Wulfers of Etters created a safe and relaxing place for the older adults in the Harrisburg community by furnishing a room at the YMCA with furniture and other items donated by churches, friends, and local businesses.
Kate Yannuzzi of Hazleton led a hands-on archery clinic teaching homeschooled children, who do not always have the opportunity to participate in sports, the history and safe use of the bow and arrow.
Nicole Yeagley of Harrisburg and a fellow Girl Scout, organized a free community fair with food, games, a smoke house, fire trucks, and ambulance, local emergency personnel, a petting zoo, health vendors, first aid, entertainment, and prayer teams.
Lauren Yerkes of Scotrun and two other Girl Scouts created a courtyard at Shepherds on Monroe County complete with benches, horseshoe pits, and flowers in order to provide an inviting space for assisted living residents to relax and enjoy nature.
Melissa Zarker of Harrisburg created a handicap accessible walkway of honor for all veterans past, present and future.
Ella Zellefrow or Narvon remodeled an old Sunday School room at her church by painting it, putting in a new floor, hanging curtains, and updating the lighting.
Caitlin Zirkle of Boiling Springs painted a mural in her church’s preschool classroom based on the stories of the Bible. She also led children in grades 1 through 6 in a project to make a decorative quilt by drawing animals from the Bible on quilt squares and sewing them together. The quilt hangs in the education wing of the church.
Gold Award Recognition process
May 5, 2008
the following comes from Anne M. Reitzes, M.Ed., areitzes@gshpa.org:
Hello,
I know you have expressed interest in the Gold Award Recognition process. I would like to invite you to serve as a member of the Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee. It involves reviewing applications and selecting the Gold Award Scholarship winners.
Committee members should plan to review copies of the applications then attend one Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee Meeting. Copies of each application will be available to you prior to the Gold Award Scholarship Review Committee Meeting so that you may become familiar with this year’s applications, then we will come together as a group to select this year’s scholarship winners. It is necessary that we have our final selections decided by the end of May, so that the girls may be recognized at the June 8th Gold Award Celebration. Invitations to the June 8th Gold Award Celebration will be sent to you.
I would like to gather a bit of info from each of you to ensure that the process meets your needs. Please get back in touch with me as soon as you are able to, but no later than May 9th with this information:
1) Would you still be interested in participating this year in the Gold Award Scholarship Review process?
2) Would you prefer that our group meets in the evening on May 28th or May 29th?
3) Would you prefer that we meet in the Harrisburg area or Pine Grove area (around exit 100 on 81)? These locations seem to be the most centrally located for those interested in this process.
We have received quite a few applications for this year’s scholarships. Are you prepared to be extremely impressed by the caliber of the applications? Each time I participate in this process, I am more amazed than the last time! I look forward to serving on this committee with you.
Sincerely,
Anne
Anne M. Reitzes, M.Ed.
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
York Service Center, GSHPA
1600 Mt. Zion Rd
York, PA 17402
717-757-3561 x1236
800-692-7816 x1236
Girls CAN! 