Girl Scout Tornado Relief Efforts

We're sure you have been following the headlines regarding tornado-related losses of life and property most recently in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi and in many parts of the Midwest. The losses have been catastrophic, the worst tornado season in more than 90 years. While it appears that council offices and camps have survived with limited damage - we know that many Girl Scout families are experiencing devastating loss.

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama has significant damage in 31 of their 37 counties. Their council's CEO, Trish Coghlan, reports that countless members of the extended Girl Scout family have suffered significant loss. They will not know the full impact until power and communication lines are restored throughout their jurisdiction.

How to Help Those Affected
Many Girl Scouts around the country want to know how they can help. We encourage those who would like to donate money or collect funds to do so with respected national charities that focus on disaster relief including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You can also visit the North-Central Alabama Web site at www.girlscoutsnca.org for more details.

At times like these, Girl Scouts come together in sisterhood to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and will continue to do everything we can to help our communities in the weeks and months ahead.

In closing, we want to express our gratitude to the staff and volunteers who continue to serve girls in the affected regions. You are truly living the Promise and Law.

Donation Information:
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army asks those who want to help visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Donors may text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks may be made out to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.

The Red Cross
The Capital Region Chapter is our local Red Cross and they are located at 1565 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento, CA 95815. They are taking monetary donations. You can bring the donations into the office, mail donations ATTN Tornado Relief, make donations online at www.redcrosscrc.org or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Girl Scout's Show Appreciation

April is the month to celebrate Girl Scout volunteers and Girl Scout Troop Leaders. April 10 - 16 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and following that on April 22 Girl Scouts celebrate Girl Scout Leader's Day! Do you have plans to tell your Troop Leader thank you? You can get together with your troop and make a thank you card, draw your leader a picture, take a picture of your troop and frame it for your leaders or get them something from the Girl Scout Shop to show appreciation for all the hard work they do. There are several items in the shop that would make perfect gifts for leaders. Here are some ideas: 1. Girl Scout charm bracelet with a gs volunteer charm or the Girl Scouts 100th anniversary charm. Click here to see this item... 2. A new canvas tote bag, which could be really handy for Girl Scout paperwork or taking on troop trips. Click here to see this item... 3. Precious Moments Girl Scouts Volunteer Figurine. Click here to see this item... let us know what you're planning on doing for your leader by e-mailing us at marcomm@girlscoutshcc.org.

C.S.I.

Have you heard of C.S.I.?

It's not what you think it might be...

C.S.I. stands for Cookie Site-sale Investigators.

The C.S.I. crew is made up of Girl Scouts who volunteer to help other sister Girl Scouts with site sales. They will be looking for site sales throughout the council every weekend until March 20. If you have an excellent site sale you will be C.S.I. approved, you'll get a C.S.I. t-shirt and stickers.

You won't know if or when C.S.I. will visit your site sale so make sure you're prepared. Keep your pocket guide with you so you'll be ready to answer questions such as:

1. Why are Caramel deLites sometimes called Samoas?

2. What's the number one selling cookie?

3. What's your goal?

Also, C.S.I. will help girls learn and practice the five skills of the Girl Scout Cookie program, which are:

1. Goal Setting

2. Decision Making

3. Money Management

4. People Skills

5. Business Ethics

If you want more help to prepare for your site sales and the C.S.I. crew use the tools below:

Click here for cookie video tips

Click here for a Pocket Guide

Click here to watch the C.S.I. video

Click here to take a Girl Scout Cookie quiz

Click here to read a description of an excellent site sale

They're Back!

Hey Girl Scouts, are you ready for cookie season?

Do you have your goal set?

Have you made posters for your site sale?

Do you plan on attending a cookie rally?

If you said yes to any of the questions above then you're on the right track to having a fantastic cookie season! If you need some pointers check out the cookie section on the girl's side of the Web site. There are a few videos, made by Girl Scouts, with helpful pointers. Also, download a pocket guide to keep with you. This will help you with quick answers when customers ask you about a cookie or why you like being a Girl Scout.

Check out these photos of Girl Scouts at a cookie rally in Woodland:

We are always looking for photos, so if you take a great photo this cookie season send it o marcomm@girlscoutshcc.org.

Gotta Love Those BROWNIES

Whether you love the chocolate delicious treat or the cute little Girl Scouts, Brownies are hard to resist.
Celebrate National Brownie day by making a batch of warm gooey brownies, or celebrating your favorite Girl Scout.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Which means the Holidays are here and so is gift shopping!
Not sure what to get your favorite Girl Scout or Leader?
The Girl Scout Shop has a gift for everyone!

SPLURGE on this 100th Anniversary ornament

or SAVE on this Collectable Caramel Delights tin!

Come check out the Shop soon before all the good gifts are gone!

Dear Readers,

When was the last time you WROTE a letter. Not typed, not emailed, not texted, but wrote a letter? Since December is National Writing a Friend Month, try and keep a correspondence with a friend by letter for the entire month! Let me know how it goes!