Happy New Year!

Since it would be unfair to point out just a few accomplishments of Girl Scouts in 2010, I will keep it short and sweet. Girl Scouts are girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Personally, I have found so much good in the world while working at Girl Scouts, through constant examples of the stellar contributions Girl Scouts give to their communities.

Happy New Year Girl Scouts! Keep up the amazing work.

Weekend Run-Down

Let's take a look at Girl Scout activity from the Holiday Weekend:

• The Washington Post has a story about Project Elf, a holiday-themed program launched last year by Bethann Laign, a Girl Scout troop leader and service unit manager of Girl Scouts Unit 70-9 in Leesburg, VA. Through Project Elf, Girl Scouts fulfill wish lists including toys, games, cookware, clothing, home supplies and basic necessities for families receiving case management services through the county's mental health and substance abuse services. Each family was adopted by a local Girl Scout troop, which bought items on the families' wish lists. The gifts were bought with leftover money from Girl Scout cookie sales or donations from Scouts' families.
• Alabama's Times Daily reports that Girl Scouts from Kilby Laboratory School came to Merrill Gardens assisted living facility in Florence to herald the Christmas season through song. Troop Leader Carol Maynard said the scouts have been caroling at Merrill Gardens for a number of years. One of the reasons is to earn a badge, but she emphasized the importance of how singing songs to the residents can brighten everyone's holiday.
• In Dunkirk, NY, The Observer reports that Cassadaga Valley Girl Scout Cadette Troop 20334 members worked to earn a Silver Award by collecting winter wear for children and adults. The scouts placed collection boxes and accepted coats, boots, hats and gloves to be turned over to the Cassadaga Food Pantry for distribution. As a bonus, the girls donated 50 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the food pantry.
• Sonoma News, CA, reports that as a fundraiser, local Girl Scout troops will work together to pick up discarded Christmas trees for the 11th year in a row. The Girl Scouts have partnered with Sonoma County Waste Management, Sonoma Garbage and Redwood Waste to get these trees collected in a way that's environmentally friendly so they can be ground into mulch and compost to help other plants grow.
• Also in California, The San Francisco Chronicle reports on rehabilitative programs for juvenile offenders that include working in a garden, training dogs and participating in Girl Scouts. Heather, a 16-year-old Girl Scout, now serving a sentence at the Sierra Youth Center, participated in a Toys For Tots program, and was responsible for gifts going to a needy child - in her case a 1-year-old boy.
• The Miami Herald, FL, reports that a group of Girl Scouts collected a van load of clothes, toys, food, baby essentials and more for the children of Florida City farm workers.
• ABC News 10 in Sacramento, CA, reports that in addition to their excited families, a group of Armed Service Members was greeted by the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Color Guard. The Girl Scouts presented the Color Guard as part of their commitment to honor country in the Girl Scout pledge. Video below:

Do you have any examples of Girl Scouts spreading cheer this Holiday Season?

Everyone Doing Good Deeds

Indiana's Star Press reports that local Girl Scout troops across the state have collected food, packed boxes of toys for disadvantaged children, made cards for U.S soldiers and visited residents of nursing homes this Holiday Season. One Girl Scout Maddie - a Daisy in Girl Scout Troop 2706, led by her mother, Heather Taylor - is a special needs student. Outgoing and chatty at home, Maddie can be introverted in groups. But the 10 other Daisies in her troop don't let her dwell in silence. Taylor says:

"These girls have restored my faith in mankind. They reach out to Maddie. Our generation, you didn't interact with a special needs child. You were uncomfortable. You were so afraid of doing something wrong you didn't do anything. But they completely accept her for who she is."

Maddie, along with her troop, collected small toys, small items of clothing and personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and combs. We will certainly be highlighting excellent and inspirational Holiday stories next week. Do you have any stories of Girl Scouts doing good this Holiday Season?

A Message to Girl Scouts From Justine Magazine!

Hey Girl Scouts!! Here at Justine magazine we are busy finishing up our February/March 2011 issue and are counting down to the holidays as we know you are! Hang in there to do your best in these last days of school in 2010. . .your hard work will definitely pay off! We are so excited to be working with Girl Scouts of the USA once again for our R.E.A.L. Girl Contest which will feature one Girl Scout who is a Remarkable, Energetic and Aspirational Leader on our April/May 2011 cover. Your applications are beginning to roll in and we can’t wait to get to know each of you and to read about your amazing accomplishments. Entry forms are available here!

Good luck to each of you . . .you could be our next winner! More Exciting News - to give you a snapshot of what Justine magazine is all about, we have created a special Justine E*Buzz just for you Girl Scouts. So throw on your comfy sweats and flip through the E*Buzz for tips on skincare, beauty, style and fitness and to meet last year’s R.E.A.L. Girl winner and finalists - plus read about former Girl Scouts Keke Palmer and Katie Armiger. Access your Justine E*Buzz now!

Want more Justine? We hope you will love the great info that Justine has to offer you and will become a subscriber of the regular Justine print edition which is published 6 times yearly. Subscriptions start at just $17.95 for one year and as an added bonus for you as a new Girl Scout subscriber, we will throw in a recent back issue to you for FREE. To take advantage of this offer, click here. . .

Have a great holiday, don’t eat too much peppermint candy and we will see you in 2011. Our best, Jana Pettey and the Justine Team

For the latest Justine info, follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Girl Scouts Spreading Holiday Cheer!

California's Orange County Register has a photo gallery of more than 300 Aliso Viejo Girl Scouts from 32 troops painting holiday-themed scenes on store windows for Aliso Viejo merchants. Girl Scouts of all ages, including Daisy's, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Ambassadors, painted store windows all over town and the windows will remain painted until after the holidays.

In Michigan, C and G News reports that Girl Scouts across the area have been in the holiday giving mood again this season - that includes Eastpointe Troop 74240, which spent some time feeding those in need at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit Nov. 27. Troops in Southeast Michigan collected toys and food for a holiday meal. Eastpointe’s troop headed to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen as part of their work toward a “Home Is Where the Heart Is” Interest Project Award. The “Home Is Where the Heart Is” award is about addressing homelessness in their community and because of the Troop's enthusiasm for working at the soup kitchen, they are planning to go back in May.

What are Girl Scouts doing to spread Holiday cheer in your community?

Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September - This year it fall on September 6. The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority.

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. Traditionally, Labor Day is now celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. Happy Labor Day everyone - hopefully this summer was fantastic for all!

Happy 4th of July!

In the United States, The Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 - declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.

Have a great weekend with friends and family - Happy 4th of July!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone - It's the unofficial Summer Kickoff. More so, Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at National Cemeteries. Many parades and community activities also take place. As always, Girl Scouts will be out and about, participating in many activities for Memorial Day.

Happy Holidays!

I will be away from blogging for a few days to enjoy some down time with my family! Hope everyone has a wonderful time.

Enjoy,
Josh

Weekend Run-Down

Welcome back to the Weekend Run-Down. It's been a while, so let's get back to it:

• In New Mexico, The Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting on three Las Cruces Junior Girl Scouts for bringing some needed Christmas cheer to area homeless and near-homeless children.
• In Binghampton, NY, Action 12 News reports that a holiday open house - including a giving tree - highlights the Girl Scouts mission this Holiday Season.
• The Kansas City Star has a story about members of Girl Scout Troop No. 110, who have completed the work necessary to receive the Bronze Award. The girls worked with the new Kansas City chapter of StandUp For Kids, a nonprofit that helps homeless children ages 12-18.
• On Nov. 14, Scouts in Bedford, NH, picked up bags full of food for this year’s "Scouting for Food Drive". In total, the scouts collected over 9,500 items of food. Read the entire story here.
• A story that's been reported on this blog previously, which still has legs - The Delaware News Journal is reporting that The US Green Building Council has issued its first "platinum" certification in Delaware to a Girl Scouts science lodge in Hockessin.
• The Pueblo Chieftan is reporting on Colorado Springs Girl Scout Nikki Saucedo. Saucedo recently received her Gold Award for her involvement in Operation Smile - an international organization that has treated more than 135,000 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities...

Enjoy.

Girl Scouts Gearing up for the Holidays in DC

Here is the first of many Holiday posts surely to come.

First, head over to The Washington Post to see a gallery of this year's Holiday Decorations at The White House. Keep an eye out for blue ribbons that say rejoice, renew or respect - in multiple languages no less! They were made and decorated by Girl Scouts.

Next, check out an incredibly uplifting story in The Maryland Gazette about members of a Girl Scout Troop in Rockville, MD - all of whom have varying disabilities. As a Girl Scout troop activity, the girls have been taking dance classes in the Rockville-based Metropolitan Ballet's adaptive ballet program since last spring. This year they will dance as toy soldiers in a single performance of the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College's Rockville campus.

While you're at it, please share what's going on in your communities surrounding the Holidays this season.