Your Monthly Donor Impact Report
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Happy March!
It is hard to believe that it is almost spring which means it is time to celebrate some of our most courageous and confident girl leaders: our Highest Award Girl Scouts.
What are the Highest Awards? They are the biggest honor a Girl Scout can earn! There is the Bronze Award for girls in grades 4-5, the Silver Award for girls in grades 6-8, and the Gold Award for girls in grades 9-12. Last year, you empowered 803 Girl Scouts to overcome the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic and earn these prestigious awards.
I was in 8th grade when I earned the Girl Scout highest award, which at that time was called the First Class Award. I remember being very nervous when my peers met to determine if my completion of four challenges and six badges met the requirements. Earning my First Class Award has always been a source of pride for me – it took time and a lot of support from others to gain the confidence to achieve this goal. My favorite event of the year is celebrating girls' accomplishments as I hand them their own awards.
This month, you will meet some of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Girl Scouts who embody the Girl Scout values. From the fourth grader starting a clothing drive to the twelfth grader initiating difficult conversations about human trafficking, every Highest Award Girl Scout demonstrates that girls have the power within them to change the world. Thank you for lighting this spark in our girls and for making the world a better place!
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Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
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You Create Brave Women Who Aren't Afraid of Tough Challenges
As girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place, Girl Scouts are not afraid to take on tough issues. After learning that Ohio is one of the worst states for human trafficking, Anvi, a Gold Award Girl Scout from Mason, Ohio, wanted to raise awareness and take action to change this.
She launched her Gold Award project An Issue in the Shadows: Human Trafficking Awareness and Action. She organized events with speakers from Procter & Gamble and Ohio’s Human Trafficking Taskforce. Anvi also created educational materials, which she distributed through the public libraries, reaching more than 400 people. She also worked with Mason Public Schools, which will add her lesson plans to the high school social studies curriculum. By sharing her findings and action steps with Procter & Gamble, Anvi not only educated her own community, but inspired a global company to take action against human trafficking.
After all she has accomplished in her eight years in girl scouting, Anvi’s favorite Girl Scout memory? “The 20-mile Kayak trip I took with my troop” she says.
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You Are Creating Community: Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and the Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls
For nine years, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has partnered with Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls to create courageous and confident female leaders.
During the last two years, these 77 Girl Scouts have achieved a lot despite the COVID-19 pandemic limiting how often they can meet in person. They explored STEM careers while earning their science, engineering, and robotics badges. They worked toward their Highest Awards by implementing a clothing drive for a community center that serves homeless families. They conquered the outdoors at Girl Scout camp. They grew as entrepreneurs and leaders while participating in the Girl Scout Product Program. Above all, they became a Girl Scout family.
“These girls give me so much hope,” their troop leader, Anitra, says. “Despite the pandemic, they maintain their Girl Scout spirit. They choose to smile and make their school and community a better place. The Ella P. Stewart Academy troop truly embodies the Girl Scout mission.”
As the partnership with Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls enters its tenth year, there are many more adventures on the horizon for these Girl Scouts. Anitra sums it up best, saying, “the sky’s the limit – I just know these girls will do great things.”
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Want to help troops like the one at Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls? Buy Girl Scout cookies! Every dollar stays local and supports girls' amazing adventures in Girl Scouts.
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Toledo's Meg Ressner and Rhonda Sewell: Leadership Pioneers
The Leadership Circle is a group of supporters who believe passionately about the future of girls and the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Members commit to an annual gift of $1,000 or more and can network with each other as well as with current Girl Scouts. Rhonda and Meg are inspiring others to join the Leadership Circle and make a different in their communities.
Rhonda's connection is deeply personal. "My Mother's heartfelt stories of her family not being able to afford summer camp during her childhood are piercing. Today, my Mom and I are both champions of all girls, with a special focus on girls who are marginalized and underrepresented."
Meg agrees. “Now, more than ever, girls need a place where they feel safe and empowered. While these are challenging times, our conversations can change the game. Through Leadership Circle, I can financially support this important organization and be a role model and mentor for our future leaders.”
Thank you, Rhonda and Meg for your leadership and passion to support Girl Scouts. If you are interested in learning more about the Leadership Circle, reach out to Lynn Migliara at 513-619-1376 Or Kelly Trame at 419-887-9471.
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Each year, more than 800 girls in our council earn their Gold, Silver and Bronze awards! Recently:
- A Gold Award Girl Scout from Celina, Ohio created a technology education program for seniors.
- Silver Award Girl Scouts from Bowling Green, Ohio planted trees to make their community a greener and more hopeful place.
- Bronze Award Girl Scouts from St. Marys, Ohio provided local police with a K9 vehicle sensor to alert to temperature changes and keep police dogs safe.
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Thank you for investing in girls, and supporting the visionary doers, innovators, creators and thinkers of tomorrow. Together, we can help girls discover their untapped potential and build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Make a gift today!
In Honor of Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low, you can leave a gift that will impact girls for generations. Learn more about planned giving through the Juliette Gordon Low Society.
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