Ossining Girl Scouts Starts Annual Giving Campaign

What do you think of when you hear "Girl Scouts"? For many, it is likely to be cookies. Or camping. Or badges.

And you would be right. But Ossining Girl Scouts wants you to know that scouting is so much more: Building confidence and character. Giving back to your community. Nurturing leadership, integrity, and values. And forging new friendships, some of which become lifelong. To support the many programs and services offered by your community's local Council, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Ossining Girl Scouts is now participating in the Annual Giving campaign. You can contribute a tax-deductible donation by visiting the Council's Fund Her Success page. (Under Service Unit, indicate "Ossining.") All donations are tax-deductible and ensure that your local Girl Scout Council can continue providing the life-changing programs it offers to girls of all ages and backgrounds.

Scouting Changes Girls' Lives

The statistics on the value of scouting speak for themselves, demonstrating why Girl Scouting is good and positive for girls. For example:

• Nationally, the Girl Scouts provide over 75 million hours of direct service to their communities. Ossining Girl Scouts donate more than 3,000 hours a year in their community alone.
• Three out of four female U.S. Senators and more than half of Congresswomen in the House of Representatives are Girl Scout alumnae.
• Girl Scouts USA is the largest leadership organization for girls in the world.

How Your Local Girl Scout Community Gives Back

GSHH is the parent Council for Westchester and six other nearby counties. It includes some 28,000 girls and nearly 12,000 volunteers and adult members. Ossining Girl Scouts is one of the largest communities in the Council, with nearly 500 girls supported by almost 150 adult volunteers.

Ossining Girl Scouts' contributions to the community range from those that are highly visible—such as October's scarecrows around town through Scarecrow-a-Palooza—to others you may not know about, including making over 200 pies for the Ossining Food Pantry every Thanksgiving, singing holiday carols in nursing homes and donating hats and gloves to residents in need every December, and making Valentines cards for veterans each February. That doesn't include the many individual community projects led by girls seeking to earn their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards—Girl Scouts' highest honors. The list goes on.

Your Support Can Make a Difference

When you make a donation to the GSHH Fund Her Success Annual Giving campaign, you help Council continue to:

• Run programs for all girls of all ages where they can discover new ideas and activities, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

• Train, support, and provide resources for Ossining Girl Scout troop leaders.
• Maintain and provide programs at 18 Girl Scout Camps and properties—where girls learn new skills, build confidence, and make memories.
• Provide financial assistance to girls who might not otherwise be able to participate in Girl Scouts.

"Making the world a better place is part of the Girl Scout Law, and we wouldn't be able to do it without the support of our Council," said Rosie Foster, an Ossining Girl Scout Service Unit Manager. "We thank everyone in advance for supporting Girl Scouts through Annual Giving and are grateful for their generosity."

To learn more about Ossining Girl Scouts, visit ossininggirlscouts.org or the Ossining Girl Scouts Facebook page. Interested in joining or becoming a troop leader? Email join@ossininggirlscouts.org.

Troop leader Jenelle Umar contributed to this article.