Donna Martin, of Creve Coeur, donates items to Hurricane Sandy victims at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri BIG Run

On Saturday, November 24 at the Girl Scout council office in Maryland Heights, Girl Scouts from all over eastern Missouri as well as hundreds of community members braved the cold to attend the Believe in Girls (BIG) run/walk to collect winter warmth items for Hurricane Sandy victims.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) first annual run/walk was created as a way to cap off the Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary year, but once Hurricane Sandy hit, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri partnered with Ameren to collect donations for the east coast.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri CEO, Donna Martin, of Creve Coeur, said community service is an essential part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

"A major part of Girl Scouting is giving back to people who need help. This event started out as a Girl Scout celebration, but when Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast, we knew we wanted to help the victims, and our girls and our community really stepped up today by donating," Donna said. "It was great to see everyone having fun, even in the cold weather, and giving back. It really is part of what builds girls of courage, confidence and character."

All participants received an event T-shirt and a medal for completing the run/walk.