Girl Scouts of the USA Thanksgiving Message 2013

Happy Thanksgiving from Girl Scouts of the USA, with some help from Troop 2702 in Brooklyn, New York.

Watch! U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios Talks 2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin

Give the Gift of Girls’ History this Holiday Season

Tired of giving meaningless shiny baubles that just get tossed? Here’s a fresh gift idea that inspires and pays tribute to a piece of history—give the Girls Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar. For the first time ever, the Girl Scouts has a commemorative coin, issued this year by the United States Mint, and the first dedicated to a girls’ organization. The commemorative coin is a great gift idea for the 2013 holiday season as it is winning choice for girls, Girl Scout alumnae, coin collectors, and lovers of unique historical collectibles. President Obama signed the legislation authorizing minting of the coin after passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

This beautiful coin features three girls of different ages and backgrounds on the heads side, and on the reverse side it shows the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary logo, along with the inscription COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER (from the Girl Scouts mission to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place”). See more about the coin at www.fchiase.com.

The Girls Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar is available now while supplies last. Place your order by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468) or order online at www.usmint.gov.

Support the future of Girl Scouts while also giving a piece of history. The Girl Scouts of the USA will receive a $10 surcharge (already included) from your purchase for national program development and delivery.

Action is Needed Now

Yesterday, Girl Scouts of the USA joined with more than 200 front-line nonprofit and charitable sector leaders in Washington, D.C., to warn members of Congress of the cascading consequences that could be set off by harmful limitations to the charitable tax deduction. The Charitable Giving Coalition – a group of more than 60 nonprofits, foundations and other charitable organizations – represents a growing chorus of people from throughout America delivering a clear message to lawmakers – “I am the charitable deduction” – and sharing real-life examples about the impact of charities and the ripple effects of the charitable sector at work in communities every day.

To that end, interested people are urged to sign this petition.

The Girl Scouts Advocacy Network provides a tool for you to become a voice for girls and to make a difference in your community and across the nation. Together, we can educate policymakers and community leaders on issues that directly affect girls and the Girl Scouts. By being an advocate, you will have an impact on girl policy issues moving through Congress and state legislatures.

Tornado Relief Efforts: How Can You Help?

Following Sunday's outbreak of severe weather, which generated over 60 tornadoes and caused damage in several Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, many people are looking to contribute to relief efforts.

The destruction was widespread, leaving many with little the week before Thanksgiving. Below is a list of organizations already on the ground, for individuals looking to contribute to relief efforts:

Red Cross

The Central Illinois chapter of the Red Cross has established a shelter in the Illinois town of Washington. It also has activated the Safe and Well website to help in finding loved ones who may still be missing.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army had mobilized teams to areas that need emergency food and shelter. These teams are dispersed across the region to offer nourishment, shelter and guidance to the needy. The Salvation Army has established a way to give immediately; you can contribute by texting STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is a group of veterans who come together after disasters to provide immediate relief and aid to rescue and recovery workers.

The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois have no report of loss or injury directly to any of their employees or to their properties. However, they do know that many Girl Scout families in the Washington, East Peoria, Pekin and Gifford areas have suffered damage as a result of the storms; in some cases the loss was tremendous.

For individuals looking to send donations directly to the council, each regional office will begin accepting donations of items on behalf of the disaster victims and they will coordinate the distribution of these items once they hear back from agencies coordinating as to what items are most needed. 

There have been offers from other councils and troops to fund uniforms, Girls Guides, badges and other items that Girl Scouts may have lost in Sunday’s tornados. The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois is establishing an account to aid in that effort. Individuals can send those funds directly to the Springfield Service Center, 3020 Baker Drive, Springfield, IL 62703 to the Finance department. Should the fund outgrow the need, remaining funds will be put into the GSCI Uniform Assistance Fund.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tornadoes.

How to Help the Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, is being called the strongest recorded tropical cyclone to make landfall, with wind speeds up to 195 miles per hour.

The cyclone caused devastation in the Philippines, particularly on Samar Island and Leyte, where the governor estimated that at least 10,000 people may have died in the city of Tacloban alone.

Unknown numbers of survivors do not have basic necessities such as food, water and medicines and remain inaccessible for relief operations, as roads, airports and bridges were destroyed or covered in wreckage.

For those looking to contribute as individuals, below is a short list of reputable organizations already contributing to the relief efforts.

• The American Red Cross has launched a family tracing service. If you are unable to reach a family member in the Philippines, you can contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to initiate a tracing case.
• The Philippine Red Crosshas mobilized teams on the ground to help with rescue and relief operations. Click the link to learn more.
• UNICEF is taking donations to help provide children with shelter, clean water, nutrition and vaccines.
• World Food Programme (WFP) has allocated $2 million for the disaster response and is seeking further  donations at www.wfpusa.org or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.
• Google has also launched a person finder.

If you wish to offer individual financial assistance directly to Girl Scouts of the Philippines, please send to:

• Account Name: Girl Scouts of the Philippines
• Address: 901 Padre Faura Street, Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines
• Bank Name: Banco de Oro
• Address: Mabini, Padre Faura Branch
• Account Number: 104490280222
• Swift Code: BNORPHMM

If you would like to send a message of condolence to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, please send a message on Twitter. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this disaster.

Happy Veterans Day to the 23.2 Million Military Veterans in the United States!