Family Partnership is the opportunity for families to give back to Girl Scouts of Western New York. A donation of any amount will help to provide the Girl Scout program in all nine counties we serve by supporting training for adult volunteers, camping site maintenance and upgrades, program materials for girls, assisting families in need, and many other valuable services.
Each Girl Scout in your home will receive a patch if you make a donation of $25.00 or more to Family Partnership.
There are several ways you can make a donation:
Via the join link when you register. Just complete the donation section on the payment page. GSWNY will automatically process your donation as Family Partnership. Email the number of registered girl Scouts in your home to bev.rhodes@gswny.org.
Click here to donate. Make sure you choose Family Partnership under the Designation or Dedication section and include the # of patches needed.
Mail your donation to Family Partnership, GSWNY, 3332 Walden Ave., Ste. 106, Depew, NY 14043.
[The post below was written by Donna Dolce, a lifelong Girl Scout]
I have always been a Girl Scout and Girl Scouting has been my life blood since joining as a 7 year old Brownie in 1958!
Girl Scouting made me the person that I am and contributed
to all that I have accomplished both professionally and personally. My mother was my first Brownie Leader and
what better role model can a child have than her own mother demonstrating
leadership, courage, confidence and character to an impressionable daughter. Through her leadership and the values gained
in Girl Scouting I immediately learned that I could, in fact, be whatever I
wanted to be, achieve whatever I set my mind to do and learn that service for
others could be both a vocation and avocation.
I remained in Girl Scouting throughout High School because
of the leadership of Celia Beckmann. As
the leader of the Senior Troop in our community, those of us that stayed knew
that adventures would await us. Mrs.
Beckmann had a reputation that all the girls in her troops would travel. In my case it was a 10 day bus trip to
Philadelphia, Washington, DC and New York City.
As a young girl growing up in a small town in Western New York this was
the first opportunity to visit not one, but three metropolitan cities in less
than two weeks. Little did I know that
one day I would in fact find myself working in one of those cities!
Upon graduation from college, I returned to Fredonia to
serve as Mrs. Beckmann’s co-leader and was ultimately recruited by the
Executive Director to a paid position in Girl Scouting becoming the Director of
Program, Property and Training, including serving as the Director for Camp
Timbercrest for more than 7 years.
Experiencing enormous gratitude and success, I than accepted
a similar position with a much larger council in New Jersey, which ultimately
led to a position on the National Staff of GSUSA in New York City! I marveled daily that this young girl from
Western New York who had experienced the Big Apple as a younger Girl Scout, was
now living the dream.
I subsequently left professional Girl Scouting to work with
other National non-profits (YWCA of the USA and the United Way of Essex and
West Hudson), but remained active as a member of the Board of Directors of a
local New Jersey Council. In addition, I
parlayed my knowledge by seeking and serving two terms as a municipal council
woman, utilizing many of the skills I had learned through Girl Scouting.
I returned to professional Girl Scouting in 2005 as the CEO
of the Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council and provided the staff leadership
and support to the merger of three New Jersey Council’s retiring in 2008. I subsequently relocated to Delaware and
continue to serve on a county advisory committee for the Girl Scouts of
Chesapeake Bay and provide consultative services to several local non-profit
organizations.
Although I have no children of my own, I am blessed to have
hundreds of younger girls and women who continuously share their stories and
thank me because of the impact that Girl Scouting has had on their lives….and
who can ask for more than that as a reward for a life well lived.
So, why you may ask, do I give……how can I not? Girl Scouting has brought me a career, many friends far and wide and values that have led me to serve others no matter where I live. What a better world we would be if EVERY girl could live the same life and benefit from this extraordinary program.
During the holidays, everything seems merry, bright, and filled with joy. At least that might be your experience. For some, it’s a magical season filled with stress surrounding purchasing gifts and family engagements. Others might be in a place where the magic seems far away.
Because of this awareness, there are many holiday pushes to help reach those families and individuals in need of help. Organizations offer holiday meals and collect gifts for children. People ring sleigh bells outside for hours in the cold weather so the Salvation Army can raise additional funds to reach people. It’s a season of giving, and many people embrace that it also represents giving back.
At Girl Scouts, our focuses don’t switch in the holiday season. We’re always dedicated to the girls of Western New York and doing our best to give them all the opportunities necessary for success. We believe everyone should have access to the Girl Scout Difference.
Our girls grow up to leaders, astronauts, visionaries, and game-changers. In the recent election, a record number of women ran for an office and nearly 60% of those who won were Girl Scouts. Our program isn’t based on what we think is right; it’s based on research and our proven results.
To achieve our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character – and reaching all girls – we rely on financial support to help make our dreams a reality. Without donors like you, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful.
More girls are turning to Girl Scouts for a space of their own where they can grow and thrive without the pressures of a two-gender setting. Our increased membership numbers show us that now, more than ever, we’re needed in Western New York.
This season, we ask that you consider partnering with us to invest in the future of girls. We want to shape a world where equality exists and girls aren’t limited. You can help make a difference.
Gifts of all amounts are appreciated because it’s additional funding to help us pursue our mission. For just $25, you can give a girl a year of Girl Scouting. That small amount opens up her world in ways she never imagined.
The holiday season is right around the corner and I am reminded of Andy Williams’ song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Great food, good conversation, and spending much needed time with family and friends makes this time of year wonderful.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I happily crossed off of my “to do” list spending quality time with my family. It was great to slow down from the pace that I keep on a day-to-day basis to reconnect with my family. I always enjoy reminiscing about the past but it is equally important to also create new memories. That is why this year I am going to spend my energy recharging and refocusing on those things that are important to me.
Susan Taylor, Emeritus Editor for Essence Magazine says, “We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly – spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.”
While we take the time we need to renew ourselves, let’s take a moment to help those in need. Consider volunteering at your local food bank, donating toys to underserved youth, or giving a monetary donation to an organization whose mission aligns with your values. There are so many worthy organizations that can use your talents to further the organization.
Mahatma Gandhi said it best, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
