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As a Brownie, Intermediate and Senior Girl Scout (back in
the dark ages!) I knew the value of the Girl Scout experience, and wanted
that for my own daughters. I agreed to be the leader, because I wanted to be
certain that the girls and their friends had Girl Scouting to help frame
their future. It was these early years as a Leader that I hearken back to
when asked, “Why do you give…?” I had many wonderful experiences with the
girls in the Troops I served, but one especially stands out. Her name was Angie.
Angie was a delightful little girl who seldom missed a
meeting. She was not always the best dressed, or the cleanest little girl in
the Troop, but she was committed to attending. Sometimes she had to bring her
little sister with her because her single mom was not at home. Sometimes she
“forgot” her dues. There were times she needed to leave the meetings early to
go home and fix the evening meal for her mom. I learned as time went along
that there were many instances where Angie had to be the adult while her mom
was busy being a carefree teenager again. Angie needed Girl Scouting. Angie
grew through Girl Scouting, because it gave her the skills to do what needed
to be done at home, and it gave her a support system when she felt
overwhelmed by the responsibility. As I watched Angie grow, and saw how she
carried out the Girl Scout Promise in her young life, I knew that this was an
organization that would have my total support….always.
As time went on, I accepted additional responsibilities in
Girl Scouting, both as a volunteer, and on staff. Whatever role I had, Angie
was my driving force. I knew there are lots of Angies
in the world…lots in the Girl Scouts of Homestead Council area…who NEED what
Girl Scouting can give. Continuing to provide Girl Scouting to more girls
became a mission for me, even after my own girls were grown and producing
little Daisy Girl Scouts of their own.
As a fund raiser, for Girl Scouts and other organizations,
I know that funding for operations is often easier to justify than funding
for the future. It is more appealing to be certain that the doors stay open, that the wonderful services provided by Staff
continue to flow, and that Leaders have the support to continue to make a
difference in the life of every girl. However, it is equally important to
provide for the future…for the days when Annual Giving may not meet the needs
of the work that must be done. I want to be certain that Girl Scouting is
secure in the lives of Southeastern Nebraska girls, in
perpetuity.
None of us can know what challenges lie ahead. No one can
predict the provision for the future of Girl Scout funding. But through
Planned Giving, through my Will and my Trust, I have found a way to
contribute to the future of Girl Scouting long after I am gone. I continue to
give to the Annual Campaign, because the doors do need to stay open for the Angies of the world. But I will continue to explore innovative
ways in which I can ensure that Girl Scouting can continue to build our young
women into useful citizens well into the future…for MY Angie.
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