Edwardsville & Glen Carbon Area Girl Scouts Host Hygiene Drive

Girl Scout Troops #333 and #39 in Service Unit 108 in the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville area organized a donation of almost 1,100 pounds of personal hygiene items for the GlenEd Food Pantry in April. Girl Scouts in the area have collected personal hygiene products as a community service project for more than 15 years. 

On April 21, Girl Scouts went door to door in area neighborhoods putting out approximately 1,300 collection bags for items like soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper. The following weekend, they collected donations, sorted items and made deliveries to the food pantry.  

This year's collection drive was organized by Troop #333, which is comprised of girls in 6th grade.  The girls even mobilized local businesses to serve as collection sites, including Afterwards Books, Traveling Tails and The Cyclery. 

This large amount of donations really motivated the Girl Scouts to connect with more local businesses and visit neighborhoods next year. Be on the lookout for the Girl Scout hygiene drive for the GlenEd Food Pantry next spring.

#GivingTuesday is TOMORRROW! Here Are Five Ways to Get Involved!

On #GivingTuesday, people around the globe join together to celebrate the power and goodness of giving!  What a powerful day for everyone, everywhere!   Here are some ways that you can join the movement: 

Five Ways to Get Involved

1. Make a donation to a non-profit making a difference in the world. 
2. Perform a random act of kindness. Pay it forward. Do a good deed.
3. Volunteer your talents & time. (See Our "Give 2" Community Service Campaign)
4. Give it your all!  Make a commitment to positive words and thoughts. Smile! 
5. Spread the word about #GivingTuesday. Help make good go viral by sharing an #unselfie on social media.
   
    

Please Join Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois on November 29 for Giving Tuesday!

Please join Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and many others around the globe to celebrate #GivingTuesday! On Tuesday, November 29, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. Anyone, anywhere can get involved in #GivingTuesday and give back in a way that is meaningful to them. From fundraising to volunteering to pro bono service, #GivingTuesday is a great way to engage your community and to become a part of a larger worldwide movement that promotes generosity. 

New! Can You “Give 2” Community Service Campaign! 

This year, we’re challenging all GSSI troops to commit to “Give 2” - that is, to pledge at least two hours of service during the holiday season to share the joy of giving in their communities! Once you decide what cause you’d like to “Give 2” - let us know! Share a photo on Facebook, send us an e-mail or take a short video! Visit our website for promotional resources to use during your campaign.  

Other ways to get involved include: 

1. Perform a random act of kindness. Pay it forward. Do a good deed. 

2. Volunteer. Your talents and time are valuable! 

3. Give it your all! Make a commitment to positive words and thoughts. Smile! 

4. Make a donation to a non-profit making a difference in the world. 

5. Spread the word about #GivingTuesday on social media.


Get Tools to Help Spread the Message! 

DuQuoin Girl Scout Spends Summer Vacation Volunteering at Humane Society

Brittney Reese from DuQuoin dedicated nearly 300 hours of her summer vacation to volunteering at the Perry County Humane Society.  This week, Girl Scout Britt started high school and her puppy pal (named Brittney!) will be leaving the shelter for a new home.


Check out this short Q&A with Britt:

Q. Why did you choose to volunteer with the animal shelter?
A. I like animals!! The animals at the shelter need extra love.


Q. What was your favorite part about helping there for so long over the summer?
A. Spending time with the animals. My boss was fun to work with also.


Q. What did you learn from your experience?
A. There are a lot of animals that do not have homes. Some of the animals arrive with horrible stories.


 Q. Why do you think volunteering & community service is important?
A. Because it gets you off your butt! If volunteers didn't volunteer at the Humane Shelter then there would be a lot of animals killed, because they would be sent to "kill shelter."