donor spotlight Dona File

Donor Spotlight

Dona File

As a lifelong Girl Scout, Dona File is thankful that her mother prevented her from quitting when she was a Cadette. Dona’s Girl Scout journey began as a Brownie and progressed to Seniors, the earning of her First Class (known today as a Girl Scout Gold Award), and Campus Gold. She also worked as a Counselor-in-Training before going on to work as a camp counselor at Camps Indian Run, Laughing Waters and Tohikanee. After graduating from college, Dona worked for Girl Scouts Philadelphia briefly as a Senior Advisor and attended the GSUSA National Conventions in Seattle and Dallas.

In 2005, Dona was recruited to serve on Girl Scouts of Philadelphia’s Property Committee. When the Eastern Pennsylvania councils merged in 2007, Dona stayed on the Property Committee until she became a Board Member of GSEP in 2013. Dona’s commitment to Girl Scouts has only grown over time. This past year, Dona and her wife, Jeanne, made a leadership gift to the Girl Adventure Place capital campaign, which supports much-needed infrastructure improvements at two of GSEP’s camps: Camp Shelly Ridge and Camp Mountain House. Improvements will include a new multipurpose indoor space (with indoor bathrooms and showers!) for year-round programming at Mountain House and platform tents, repairs to the Smith Lodge, and a high ropes course at Shelly Ridge.

Dona and Jeanne designated their support toward a first ever commercial kitchen at Camp Shelly Ridge. The kitchen, which is the heart of every communal experience at camp, will be a place where girls connect and communicate while sharing meals. Through the addition of the commercial kitchen, girls will also learn about healthy food choices, cleanliness, and how to serve and be served, which are important factors to personal growth and success. Dona and Jeanne not only made a significant financial contribution to the project, but Dona, a union carpenter for 40 years and the current Corporate Safety Director for L.F. Driscoll Company, also looked over the architectural and construction plans and budget. Some of her insights helped GSEP to modify its plans for the better. Dona credits her successful career in construction to her days as a Girl Scout and her love of being outdoors at camp! Dona’s participation in Girl Scouting has had a pivotal impact on her life, so her and Jeanne’s gift to the Girl Adventure Place demonstrates her personal connection to camp. Their gift in memory of Dona’s mother, who, once again, would not let her quit Girl Scouting.

For more information on supporting projects like the Girl Adventure Place, see page 74 or contact Lori Franzke at lfranzke@gsep.org or 267-332-7039.