Kirkwood Girl Scout donates to Hurricane Sandy victims at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri BIG Run

On Saturday, November 24, 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, 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."

Anna White and her daughter Cynthia, 11, from Kirkwood, thought it was important to donate to the cause.

"We came to the BIG run to support GSEM and victims on the east coast," Anna said. "I put a message on Facebook telling everyone to come out and donate."

Cynthia, from Troop 2134, said community service has been a big part of her Girl Scout experience.

"It's important to donate so people can have things they need," Cynthia said. "My troop usually gives to others and this year we created items to donate to elderly people."

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