Left to right: Urban Campout Co-chairs Jim Tiffany and Patti Roscoe; Honorary Chair Todd Gloria; Girl Scouts Board Chair Debbie Rider, CEO Jo Dee Jacob and Vice Chair Rick Brooks; and guest Susan Favrot stepped into character for our Alice in Wonderland-themed event on Sept. 12.

October 2014

A storybook ending

Five hundred guests grinned like Cheshire Cats as they arrived at Girl Scouts' Balboa Campus for Urban Campout: Adventures in Wonderland. For a peek at the fabulous revelers, fanciful decor and fantastical games that created an unforgettable evening of whimsy, check out our photos and video.

“I’m dressed as the Mad Hatter to pass the hat for Girl Scouts!” quipped San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria, the honorary chair. “This wonderful organization helps young women develop leadership skills so they can reach their full potential … whether achieving their career goals or becoming leaders in their community.”

With our guests, Wells Fargo, and our other sponsors and underwriters, we brought in $360,000 to fund exciting Girl Scouting adventures for members in every zip code of our region.

Co-chairs Patti Roscoe and Jim Tiffany designated their $60,000 matching gift for a custom commercial kitchen in the new cabin planned for Level 3 of our Balboa Campus. (We’ll stage Urban Campout there next year; mark your calendar for Friday, Sept. 11!)

Like Alice, Girl Scouts discover their true identities through experiences that challenge their perspective on life. We’re equipping girls to imagine their best possible futures when they peer into the looking glass.

Jo Dee C. Jacob
Chief Executive Officer

Girls and adults: Explore cyber safety
Join Girl Scouts San Diego and Cox Communications for a Conversation of Consequence on Thursday, Oct. 30, 4-6 p.m. During this interactive seminar at our Balboa Campus, children (ages 10-18) and adults will discuss online awareness and preparedness with San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman and representatives from Securing Our eCity Foundation and the San Diego Police Foundation’s Safety Net program. After kicking off the event together, the adults and children will separate for age-appropriate sessions about potential threats and protecting youth who use smartphones and social media. Bring a friend, as this free event is open to the community. Space is limited; RSVP to Angela Addington, (619) 610-0755.

Spotlight on Girl Scouts Outreach team
School is back in full swing, and so is our Girl Scouts Outreach (GSO) program! Thanks to a $30,000 grant from Price Charities, our staff now provides year-round afterschool programs to more than 300 girls at Euclid, Ibarra and Cherokee Point elementary schools in City Heights (see photos). Collaborating with community partners, and aided by translators and other volunteers, our GSO staff leads sessions on STEM, anti-bullying, leadership, financial literacy and life skills. We operates similar programs at Willow Elementary in San Ysidro and Roosevelt Middle School in Balboa Park. To volunteer or learn how to help, contact Lucy Esparza, (619) 610-0788.

Girl Scouts San Diego board member Regina Buckley (right) visits with Leina Veniegas and her Girl Scout daughter, Lilianna, who were volunteering at Euclid Elementary. Regina chairs our Community Presence Initiative.

Estate Planning 101 at our Balboa Campus
Learn about important legal, financial and healthcare options at a free workshop series hosted by Girl Scouts San Diego in partnership with the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations. Marguerite Lorenz, CTFA, CPF will help individuals create estate plans and learn how to work effectively with health and legal professionals. Topics include powers of attorney, conservatorships, advance health directives, charitable giving and trustee responsibilities. Marguerite will conduct two classes per morning, with professionals from their respective fields, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 4, 6, 11 and 13, 9 a.m.-noon. See flyer for details, or contact Planned Giving Officer Merle Brodie, (619) 610-0804.

Fall Sale in a nutshell
Here’s a delicious way to jump start your holiday shopping while supporting Girl Scouting: Participate in our Fall Sale. Troops raise funds for their fall and winter service projects and activities by selling 10 irresistible nut and candy products. The newest is Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels; returning favorites include Mint Trefoils, Whole Cashews and Chocolate Covered Almonds. For more information, contact your favorite Girl Scout or email our Product Sales staff at fallsale@sdgirlscouts.org.

It's time to SHARE! Donate now and receive a special patch
Our 2014-2015 Share Her Annual Real Expense (SHARE) campaign begins this month to help us keep Girl Scouting available and affordable for all girls. The annual membership fee of $15 goes directly to Girl Scouts of the USA. Meanwhile, it costs Girl Scouts San Diego $330 per girl to provide a year of quality programs. Everyone who donates $25 or more to the campaign receives a special, girl-designed SHARE patch. (Girls are invited to participate in our patch artwork contest, which runs until Friday, Oct. 31; find instructions here.) For more information, contact Dawn Bruckel, (619) 610-0705.

TV personality named Girl Scout spokeswoman
During a joint appearance last month on the Dr. Phil talk show, Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chávez (left) and TV personality Robin McGraw urged adults from all walks of life to volunteer for Girl Scouts. In addition, Anna announced that Robin is Girl Scouts of the USA’s new celebrity spokesperson. Robin, a former Girl Scout and troop leader, explains on her blog why she wants to “empower girls to dream big.”

Saluting 9/11 heroes
Girl Scouts and adult volunteers from Troops 8800, 8065, 8390 and 6743 joined the community in cheering on, and serving water to, participants in the San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. (See photo album.) Held at the Hilton Bayfront hotel, the annual event pays tribute to emergency responders who perished in 2001.The program included an inspiring ceremony and family festival, with proceeds benefiting families of the victims.

Troop 6743 honored firefighter Iggy Ignosci, late husband of the troop’s adopted grandmother, Sandy Ignosci (left).

• Subscribe to GS Bi-Weekly e-newsletter
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Learn about Girl Scouts
• See photo/video gallery and news clips
• Join Promise Circle or Legacy Circle
• Donate or volunteer
• Encourage a girl to join
• Reconnect as an adult member or alumna
• Send us your feedback
  

About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting provides the nation’s best leadership experience for girls. Through Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts San Diego provides activities for 43,000 local girl and adult members, trains volunteers, and maintains two camps and four program and service facilities.