Dear GSWNY Members,

What a year 2020 has been!  On behalf of Girl Scouts of Western New York, thank you for all of your commitment, support and dedication to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. 

I am so proud of how our volunteers, staff, families and community supporters helped to keep Girl Scouting available for our girls, and I am so proud of how our girls stepped up to lead in their communities and make a difference.

The mission and spirit of Girl Scouting remains strong, and it is because of each of you.
We wish you a peaceful and safe holiday season, and we look forward to a wonderful New Year in 2021.

Thank you for all that you do for our girls.

Alison

Alison Wilcox, CEO of Girl Scouts of WNY

Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.

Batavia Office Update:

As you may know, our Batavia office has been closed since March 2020 when COVID-19 struck since that time we have been serving our members virtually, through mail, and through other service center locations. Our Batavia office lease expires February 1, 2021.

We had originally planned to identify a new location and relocate to a new space in Batavia that better fit our needs, but due to COVID-19 we are postponing the move. To use our resources wisely, we will not renew our lease at this time, and we will wait to move to a new location until after the pandemic and at a time when we can safely reopen.

Volunteers in the GLOW counties were invited to a virtual meeting on December 16 and we shared this news with them at that time. Please know our goal is to maintain a physical presence in Batavia. In the meantime, we would like your input on a new Batavia Office space and you can take the survey here. Thank you.

Renewal Incentive Distribution!

We are finally starting to receive our shipments of GS-branded face masks from GSUSA! We are currently sorting through over 7,000 masks and patches. Troop packets will be delivered to SU’s starting in January and troops will be informed by their SUM regarding safe pickup. Troops with only 1 renewal or Juliettes will have incentives mailed to them in January.

What’s better than making new friends and getting free stuff?

Our Grow Your Girl Crew contest is happening right now! Don’t know what it is? When you invite someone to join Girl Scouts, and they do, you automatically get a prize! It’s that simple. For adults, we have an amazing sweatshirt for you and a mask for who you get to join. We have three tiers of prizes for girls, including a patch with  charms, sweatshirt, and Air Pods!

Click here to learn more about what you can win and how to enter!

Higher Awards Extension Deadline

While the GSUSA deadline for Bronze and Silver Awards has been extended to 12/31/2020, we do not expect you to worry about submitting paperwork over the holidays. Please submit as soon as possible in the new year. Please contact girl.experience@gswny.org if you have additional concerns or if you need to discuss a further extension. We want to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to earn the higher awards.

Are you participating in the online Cookie Program? 

As a reminder, girls who sell 24 packages online will earn the #Buzzz Online patch. 

Questions about the Cookie Program? Visit our Cookie Page for additional resources and support.

New: Coffee Break with Your Product Program Team

Starting the first week of January, our Product Program Team is going live weekly to go over different topics and answer your cookie questions. 

You’re invited to join them Friday, January 8, at 10 a.m. as they welcome everyone to the 2021 Cooke Program, discuss our new cookie, show how to send e-cards with direct ship options, how to register, and more!

All videos will premiere on our Facebook page and be available after for viewing on demand.

New Outdoor Opportunities!

Shop Online Now! GSUSA has 30% off holiday bundles and continued free standard shipping thru December 31, 2020.

Resume, Interview, and Job Seeking Basics for Seniors and Ambassadors
January 6, 6:30-7:30 via Zoom

Are you going to be looking for a job soon? Are you curious what it takes to apply for a job? Learn how to stand out from the other job seekers! You will also learn how to create/build your resume, get tips on job seeking, interview skills, and dressing for success. Program Facilitator Kathy Reisenweber is an expert on this topic—come learn from the best!

Supplies needed: Pen & paper

REGISTER NOW

Girl Scouting at Home

Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly. 

Badge in a Box Clear Out!

This is the last chance to get the boxes currently available in limited quantities, as they won’t be available after the New Year. The Daisy Outdoor Art Maker, Junior Independence, Cadette Special Agent, Senior Space Science Expert, Ambassador Programming Robots, and Democracy boxes are now only $5.

The boxes will be available for curbside pick-up at the Buffalo, Rochester, Lockport, and Jamestown Service Centers. Please fill out the following survey, and be sure to include the number of Girl Scouts in your troop that will need kits.  Request your Badge in a Box today!

Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.

Girl Scouts Doing Good Things

Juliette Girl Scouts from Amherst Gabriella McCann and Patricia Fuller (not pictured) recently organized a neighborhood Winter Warmth Drive for children in need at Windermere Blvd. Elementary School. Approximately 50 hat and glove sets were donated. December happens to be Empathy Month for students and staff at the school.

We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.