Five hundred dollars may not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things.
But one look at Girl Scout Troop 1872 meeting at the New Rochelle Girl Scout House Monday made it clear the value that every dollar has to the Girl Scouts’ mission developing character, courage and confidence in its members.
That’s why Pamela Anderson, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, made it point to say how thankful she was when the Bronx-New Rochelle Elks Lodge presented a $500 to Girl Scouts of New Rochelle Monday.
“Any donation of any size to me is a valuable donation and we are very grateful,” Anderson said. “What better way to accept a donation that to do it with some Girl Scouts from New Rochelle and it will most likely, certainly, go to programming for girls in New Rochelle and were very proud to receive that.”
The Bronx-New Rochelle Elks Lodge, which has more than 200 members, presented the $500 grant on behalf of the National Elks organization. The national organization gave the local Elks club the funds to distribute as they saw fit as reward for hitting their fundraising goals for the year.
Margie Codella, exalted ruler of the local Elks, said her organization chose the New Rochelle Girl Scouts because of the work they do developing youth in the community.
“Scouting is always one of the organizations that the Elks has always partnered with regularly and we wanted to connect with the Girl Scout, but we haven’t had that opportunity” Codella said. “
The fact that Girl Scouts of America celebrated its 100th anniversary last month made the choice that much more satisfying, according Codella.
In addition to grants and other funding opportunities that the Elks provide to the boy and girl scouts, the organization also provides scholarships to deserving scouts.
Anderson said 70 percent of the Girl Scouts funding is used to support the organization’s programming.
“The cost of Girl Scouting to the parent is a $12 registration fee that goes to our national organization GSA USA,” Anderson said. “It costs, on average, about $210 to put a girl through Girl Scouting.”
Troops participate in fundraising programs, like the annual cookie sales. Anderson part of the proceeds from the cookies sales go back to the troop while another portion goes back to the individual girls.
But the cookies only account for some of the funds needed to keep Girl Scout troops operational.
“Our largest source of income is from families, alumni and private donors who have spent time in Girl Scouting and want to give back to the mission,” Anderson said. “ And then, of course, we do get some corporate sponsors for very targeted areas. We do a lot of outreach to girls in underserved communities and those corporate funds are directed to those girls.”
Girl Scout cookies are on sale now in the Hudson Valley. Cookie locations can be found by going here. On May 5, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson will hold its “Cookie Jam” at the Cross County Shopping Center. Go here for more information on that event.
