Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank receives donated Girl Scout Cookies

On July 13, GSWPA donated nearly 1,000 packages of cookies to the  Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank thanks to ingenuity from a local corporate leader. This initiative was led by Yvonne Cook, president of Highmark Foundation and vice president of community health and programs at Highmark Health, who challenged fellow corporate women leaders and the greater Pittsburgh community to donate remaining cookie inventory in support of the food bank and local Girl Scouts. Thank you, Pittsburgh community, for making a difference in your community and to the team at the food bank for their work!

GSWPA Service Day Ideas

There are so many ways to get your Girl Scouts involved in making the world a better place, and community service is an awesome way for girls to take on issues in their own neighborhoods and communities. Not only will it help set up interest for this year's Take Action projects, but community service projects strengthen the bonds between the girls and bring them closer together.

When you participate in GSWPA Service Day on Saturday, September 26, you'll be able to make an impact in a big way as we come together as a council to benefit our communities all across western Pennsylvania.

Tips for GSWPA Service Day projects

From a small project to maybe something bigger, start by reading through some of our best tips for a successful project.

• Start by talking to your Girl Scouts about volunteering in the community. Be ready to take notes! They will most likely be overflowing with ideas on how to help others.
• Once you have an idea, reach out to organizations for their specific needs to make sure your work will be as helpful as possible.
• About 2-4 weeks before GSWPA Service Day, gather or purchase any supplies and be sure to receive permission when planning projects in public or private places.
• Bring an expert to a troop meeting for the girls to interview, take them to potential sites for observation, or help them with internet research. 
• Always refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints for best practices and safe work.
• Staying true to the girl-led aspect of Girl Scout programming, their GSWPA Service Day project should involve more than having girls show up and take direction from adults. Cultivate their leadership through active participation in all aspects from planning to execution!

Never underestimate the power of a Girl Scout! 

Girl Scouts of all ages can participate and make a difference. Whether you have troop money to put towards a project or if you are looking for a project with zero to low cost, here are just a few ideas to get you started!

Daisies and Brownies:

• Make blankets or toys for a local animal shelter.
• Decorate bags or placemats for a meal delivery service.
• Learn to make shelters for bees, birds, or other animals and place them appropriately.
• Plant a butterfly garden at your school or park.

Juniors and Cadettes:

• Clean trails at a nature center by clearing brush and trash.
• Volunteer for a community program at a library, youth organization, etc.
• Repaint worn benches in a community park.
• Make bird feeders for a senior living center, a local park, or other community area.

Seniors and Ambassadors:

• Make and serve meals at a local shelter.
• Pair up with younger Girl Scouts to teach a skill or help with a project.
• Work with your local municipality to plant trees and flowers at a park, library, or school.
• Paint over graffiti in public places with permission from businesses or local municipalities.

Ideas for all ages:

• Assemble hygiene kits for a woman's shelter.
• Organize a game night, ice cream social, or just a visit at a local senior living center.
• Collect art supplies for your school or local children's hospital.
• Offer to decorate a storefront, library, or municipal building for the coming fall season.

Remember to invite local media to cover your GSWPA Service Day activity. Your Girl Scouts are doing amazing work, and their community will be excited to celebrate with them! For help contacting media, reach out to Stef Marshall at smarshall@gswpa.org.

Participating

Pledge your participation for 2020 GSWPA Service Day!

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