Kaitlyn Barnett from Troy Earns the Governor's Volunteer Service Award for Work with Girl Scouts

(L-R): GSSI CEO Loretta Graham, Kaitlyn Barnett, GSSI Director of Development & Communications Kim Vrooman

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) is proud to share that Kaitlyn Barnett has been named as a Governor’s Volunteer Service Awardee for her service to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. The bipartisan Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service presents the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards. These awards recognize in​dividual volunteers through a statewide award program to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the State of Illinois.

Kaitlyn Barnett is 17 years old and lives with her parents and sister in Troy. She attends Triad High School and participates in the Running Start Program at Southwestern Illinois College, where she will graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Science. Kaitlyn earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by completing a project called “Camp for Everyone”. With the help of local companies, Kaitlyn was able to make Girl Scout Camp Torqua accessible. In order to make the camp accessible, she installed a concrete ramp to the fire pit, a concrete sidewalk leading to the bath house, and an accessible rock trail. She has continues to volunteer in local service unit events and serves as a member of the Girl Scout Board. Kaitlyn is also a board member of Triad’s Science Club, Secretary for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and President of Holy Cross Lutheran’s Youth Group.


Kaitlyn notes, “Through the Girl Scout program, I have been given the opportunity to service Girl Scouts and my community. This has led me to earn this award. These Girl Scout programs have consisted of community Take Action projects, journey Take Action projects, Service to Girl Scouting bar, Community Service Bar and the GSSI Trifecta Award.” Kaitlyn has earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, and Girl Scout Gold Award—the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts of the USA, earned by Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts successfully earn the Gold Award.

Girl Scouts Donate More Than 3,600 Items and 150 Volunteer Hours to Local Animal Shelters

Approximately 1,106 participants donated more than 3,600 items and 150 volunteer hours to animal shelters across Southern Illinois during GSSI’s spring Council Wide Community Service Project, “Pawsome Pets.”

See photos

The following troops earned Pawsome Pets patches.  Great work!

Troop #2, Troop #28, Troop #47, Troop #48, Troop #94, Troop #98, Troop #128, Troop #130, Troop #140, Troop #175, Troop #188, Troop #208, Troop #233, Troop #235, Troop #258, Troop #269, Troop #306, Troop #317, Troop #340, Troop #341, Troop #356, Troop #366, Troop #431, Troop #482, Troop #513, Troop #529, Troop #545, Troop #611, Troop #628, Troop #664, Troop #703, Troop #707, Troop #725, Troop #726, Troop #768, Troop #789, Troop #792, Troop #834, Troop #907, Troop #938, Troop #945, Troop #955, Troop #1181, Troop #1257, Troop #1649, Troop #2046, Troop #2161, Troop #2413, Troop #2505, Troop #2550, Troop #2583, Troop #2647, Troop #2921, Troop #8001, Troop #8015, Troop #8020, Troop #8024, Troop #8030, Troop #8032, Troop #8036, Troop #8039, Troop #8040, Troop #8043, Troop #8044, Troop #8045, Troop #8046, Troop #8047,
Troop #8062, Troop #8081, Troop #8084, Troop #8087, Troop #8116, Troop #8123, Troop #8133, Troop #8140, Troop #8158, Troop #8165, Troop #8200, Troop #8209, Troop #8226, Troop #8231, Troop #8235, Troop #8245, Troop #8249, Troop #8250, Troop #8294, Troop #8295, Troop #8302, Troop #8317, Troop #8320, Troop #8345, Troop #8349, Troop #8350, Troop #8420, Troop #8431, Troop #8446, Troop #8470, Troop #8480, Troop #8487, Troop #8505, Troop #8518, Troop #8542, Troop #8546, Troop #8548, Troop #8559, Troop #8572, Troop #8623, Troop #8643, Troop #8659, Troop #8661, Troop #8685, Troop #8713, Troop #8749, Troop #8782, Troop #8783, Troop #8784, Troop #8837, Troop #8858, Troop #8869, Troop #8905, Troop #8917, Troop #8924, Troop #8935, Troop #8941, Troop #8966, Troop #8990

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Volunteer Angie Zahn Named "Volunteer of the Week" By Serve Illinois

GSSI volunteer Angie Zahn has been named "Volunteer of the Week" by Serve Illinois, the Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. 

Go to Serve Illinois or read article below:

Angie is truly an amazing volunteer who gives so much to the Girl Scouts and our mission of building leaders for America… girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

- Jay Strobel

Angie Zahn is a Managing Broker by profession but a Girl Scout at heart. Currently, she serves on Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ (GSSI) Board of Directors as Secretary.  Angie previously served as president of the Girl Scouts of River Bluffs Council (legacy council to GSSI).  She has been a Girl Scout volunteer and mentor for 29 years. Not only has Angie served on the Board of Directors for many years, she also served as a National Delegate to Girl Scouts of the USA. She has also been a troop leader, a cookie chair, Property Task Force member among many other volunteer activities.  

If there is a need, Angie is always one of the first to volunteer and say, “I can do that!”  Angie is a great supporter of camp, outdoor experience, and programs like Haunted Camp Torqua. Her most important role in GSSI is her work with older girls, and mentoring these girls while they are working on their Girl Scout Gold Award.  To date Angie has mentored 7 girls to receive the Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scouts’ highest individual award.  As a Girl Scout volunteer Angie always strives to ensure all girls benefit from the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  She gives her time, her talent, and her money to ensure that Girl Scouting is a place where girls gain the courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place for all of us.   

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."