A Quarterly Newsletter from Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
SUMMER 2015 EDITION
Connections
O
SUMMERS WITH
ver the last three summers, Hope Griffin (Camp Name: Schmidty) boarded a plane in the booming metropolis of London to fly 3,500+ miles to settle into hundreds of Pennsylvania’s rural acres for only one reason—Girl Scout campers. “We have counselors from all over the world and every different person brings with them different traditions and different cultures,” Schmidty said. The international counselors come to America looking for a new experi-
Schmidty
ence only to leave with an unforgettable one. “At first I didn’t think that I would get as attached to the girls, but the last day all I could think was ‘Oh my goodness!’ It’s so hard to say good-bye,” reflected Schmidty who admits she shed some tears. Some campers cry on the last day too as they cross their fingers hoping their favorite counselor will return next summer. So why the tight bond between counselor and camper? International or not, the coun-
selors are a team of “wacky and crazy” role models who go above-and-beyond to show the Girl Scouts that it’s cool for them to be their unique-selves. “If the counselors aren’t afraid of making fun of themselves, then the Girl Scouts aren’t afraid to be themselves,” Schmidty laughed recalling all the talent shows, dress ups, and dances she’s performed just to see the girls smile. “As a counselor you have to put yourself second and make sure every girl is happy,” she said “We’re here for the girls.”
Leadership Update
Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe that summer is over! I know that some of you took a break over the summer and that many of you enjoyed summer activities with the girls. Now it’s time to focus on the new troop year and how we are all connected in our efforts to build girls of courage confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Girls are connected to a world of opportunities to discover new things. Whether it is traveling out west to test their wilderness skills, going to Savannah to learn more about the history of girl scouting, or walking around the corner in their hometown to take food to the food bank, our girls develop the courage to try new things and realize they are capable of doing more than they thought possible. Parents connect with girl scouting by supporting the girls in many different ways: driving girls to and from meetings and activities, helping them pack for camp (and tracking down lost items they left behind when they come home!), and providing much needed emotional and financial support while the girls are exploring. And of course volunteers are the glue that holds all of the connections together. Whether you are preparing for your next troop meeting, helping the girls to plan their camping trip, or standing at the cookie booth in freezing weather, we could not do girl scouting without you! Please enjoy the stories in this issue about how folks are connecting through Girl Scouting. Happy Scouting!! Yours in Girl Scouting,
Veronica Longenecker Board Chair
Susan Kreidler Acting CEO
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Did you miss out on the KickOff fun? No worries-follow us on Instagram @GSHeartPA to see 365 days of Girl Scout fun!
f f O k c i k r e e t n lu o V 2015
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Destinations
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Dreams
I knew I wanted to study Neuroscience ever since I was in the fourth grade, which is why it was ironic that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. However, my diagnosis only furthered my interest in the wonders of the brain. Because of Girl Scouts I was able to see everything a girl can accomplish when she puts her mind to something. During my Girl Scout Destination’s trip to Costa Rica, I was able to overcome my fear of my disease and learn to live my life to the fullest. Through that experience, I gained a more positive outlook on life.
Erin Mulhearn graduated from Red Land High School (Cumberland County) in June 2015. She is one out of 71 Gold Award earners and one of nine GSHPA scholarship recipients for 2015.
Through Girl Scouts, I’ve been given the opportunity to travel to places like San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Peru and Fiji to experience different cultures, see beautiful places, and meet interesting people. I now attend George Washington University in Washington D.C. to major in Neuroscience with plans on furthering my education at medical school. After obtaining my Ph.D., I plan on joining Doctors Without Borders and helping those less fortunate than the rest of the world all while continuing my love of traveling.
I now know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind on and my disease will not hold me back from accomplishing my dreams.
- Erin Mulhearn, 18, New Cumberland
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2MT #PA
Big, azure skies. Crystal, clear rivers and lakes. Towering, silvery mountain peaks. Golden memories to treasure for a lifetime. With all these gems it is no wonder Montana is called the Treasure State. A place so wild, adventurous and mesmerizing that our Montana Expedition crew documented their destination from start to finish from fly fishing to cowboy cookouts and horseback riding to white water rafting.
The PRICELESS Value of a In Pennsylvania, one hour of volunteer service is valued at $22.63 and with GSHPA being 99% volunteer-led, the monetary value of our volunteers adds up quickly. But our volunteers mean so much more than the numbers-they mean the world to thousands of our Girl Scouts. Our volunteers are simply priceless. “My troop leaders have changed my life! They have made me into the confident successful young woman that I am. I would not have achieved what I have, if it wasn’t for their support and guidance,” said Karoline Kent, who graduated from Warwick Senior High School. Interested in joining our passionate team to help make a difference? Whether you volunteer a few hours, a few weeks or a few months, you’ll make a big impact! There are so many flexible ways to volunteer:
TROOP LEADER/CO-LEADER • Meet with an enthusiastic group of Girl Scouts who can’t wait to make friends and go on adventures.
TROOP FAMILY & FRIENDS • Be the friendly helper that pitches in with troop tasks like snack making and fieldtrip driving.
CAMP/OUTDOOR • Help girls explore nature near and far.
SHORT-TERM • Connect with a troop of girls for a short-term experience that will broaden their horizons and strengthen their confidence.
SHARE YOUR TALENTS • Share your expertise with girls eager to discover something new.
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For more information on how to get involved, visit www.gshpa.org. 5
FAMILY:
The Greatest Girl Scout Gift
ABOVE: Pen Pal Sandra (Sharrard) Carter, left, with Sue Ross.
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n 1955, Sue Ross’ Brownie Troop 116 began writing to Pen Pals in England to earn the International Friendship Badge, but Sue never thought that when she sent her first letter that she would still be doing it in her 70s. “It was the greatest gift the Girl Scouts gave me,” said Sue with the same childlike excitement that she had when she first sat down to write a letter to Sandra Sharrard in Rugeley in Staffordshire. What started as a Pen Pal, turned into friendship, and then turned into family.
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ABOVE: Top row, second from the left, Pen Pal Sandra (Sharrard) Carter in Rugeley in Staffordshire poses with her family, who are now part of Sue Ross' extended family.
family that her now grown-up, god-son, Scott, named his son Ross in honor of her. Girl Scouts has given Sue a family and a lifetime of memories that have lasted decades. To give back, Sue started sponsoring Girl Scout campers, in honor of her mother, a Brownie Troop Leader and overall camp enthusiast. Sue wants Girl Scouts to be able to have the same kind of friendships and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that she did. “I want individual girls to find their own voice that says she can do whatever she wants.”
In 1969, nearly 15 years of writing and never meeting, Sue finally crossed the pond to see her friend Sandra face-toface and remarkably to be introduced to her husband and children, which included Sue’s god-son Scott. “I was so nervous to meet Sandra, but the whole family welcomed me so warmly,” said Sue.
Sue recently expanded her campership support into planned giving support. Thanks to Sue’s planned giving gift, decades of Girl Scouts will be able to follow in Sue’s footsteps and discover the type of friendships that overcome all boundaries and last a lifetime.
Sue is now affectionately called Aunty Sue by all of Sandra’s children and now grandchildren. She is so much part of the
For find out more about how you can establish a planned gift, please contact development@gshpa.org.
ABOVE: Sue Ross, from Bloomsburg, PA, started writing as a Girl Scout Pen Pal in 1955, little did she know that her Pen Pal friendship, would turn into family after 15 years of writing.
Circle of Friends Members
$28,000 By Numbers
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By joining the Circle of Friends, individuals who make annual gifts totaling $1,000 or more become a part of a select group of leadership donors who are deeply committed to helping today’s girls become tomorrow’s leaders. We thank the following members of the Circle of Friends for their generosity.
Bridge to the Future Society: Individuals who contribute an annual gift of $2,500 or more. Mrs. Joanne Bankos Ms. Mimi Barash Coppersmith Ms. Katherine Bishop Ms. Amy DeShong Ms. E. Louise Hepschmidt Mr. and Mrs. William Hoffmann Mr. and Mrs. Paul John Mrs. Jane Ransom Mrs. Natalie Smith Golden Friends: Individuals who pledge to contribute $1,000 - $2,499 per year for 3 years. Mrs. Marion C. Alexander Mrs. Nancy Besch Mrs. Linda Gall Mrs. Debra Hess Ms. Betsy Keefer Mrs. Susan Kriedler Mrs. Barbara Palmer Mr. and Mrs. Neal Rhoads Mrs. Dianne Steimling
Our extended family of over 30,000 Girl Scout members deserves a big round of applause for a very successful 2015 Family Partnership campaign. Over $28,000 was raised to help make Girl Scouting possible for girls in need. Our close-knit communities devoted their time and energy towards organizing over 100 fundraising events during the 60 day campaign throughout our 30 counties. 89% of our Girl Scout Communities participated in hosting Family Partnership events
We’re all ONE big family! Thanks to your support, GSHPA will be able to provide Financial Assistance to girls who want nothing more than to be a Girl Scout.
Silver Sponsors: Individuals who contribute an annual gift of $1,000 - $2,499. Mr. & Mrs. James Apple Mrs. Sara Hannigan Ms. Virginia Banks Mr. Daniel Hawbaker Mrs. E. Lee Beard Ms. Joan Henderson Ms. Karen Best Mr. Norman Hoffer Ms. Debra Bowman Mrs. Dolly Lalvani Mr. Michael Breslin Ms. Bernadette Lear Mr. Thomas Brown Mrs. Veronica Longenecker Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Brown Mrs. Joan Mummert Mrs. Catherine Bush Ms. Heidi Nicholas Mrs. Kate Crowley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pullo Mrs. Linda Davis Mr. and Mrs. Donald Roseth William E.C. & Mary Dearden Mrs. Karen Snider Ms. Joy Dougherty Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ware Ms. Tiffany Gibbons Mr. Paul Witt Ms. Virginia Goodrich Ms. Coni Wolf
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