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Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta CEO, Marilyn Midyette, awarded Atlanta City Council proclamation
MABLETON, GA. (August 25, 2010)— The Atlanta City Council recently honored Marilyn Midyette, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta with a Proclamation highlighting her achievements to promote the vision and mission of her organization and “build the future of our nation by transforming young girls into inspired women who will lead communities to triumph,” according to the decree.
Midyette has led Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta for the last two years. Among her accomplishments, was the introduction of Camp CEO, in which 23 Atlanta area executive businesswomen, including Atlanta City Councilwoman Yolanda Adrean, were matched with teen Girl Scouts in mentor/mentee teams. The five-day leadership development camping event was held at Camp Timber Ridge in Mableton, Ga. Due to its great success, Camp CEO will now be an annual event.
Earlier this year, Midyette was honored by “Womenetics” on-line magazine with a POW! Award, which honors purposeful women in the Atlanta community.
Midyette’s direction for Girl Scouts includes expanding outdated perceptions of the almost 100-year old organization. “We are basically thought of as cookies and camping, but in fact, we are about leadership development. It is our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who will become the leaders of tomorrow,” says Midyette.
Prior to joining Girl Scouts, Midyette was an executive with more than 30 years of professional experience, most recently as Regional Vice President of Sprint Communications. She has also served in a variety of volunteer leadership positions on boards including the Georgia Alzheimer's Association, the William and Mary Alumni Association, the Fund for William and Mary, and Mt. Paran-Northside Citizens Association.
Midyette’s first experience with Girl Scouts was with the organization’s European equivalent. She was a Girl Guide in England at the age of six.
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta announces new Board of Directors Chairman
 MABLETON, July 2, 2010 — Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. is pleased to announce the election of a new Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ms. Kristen Lewis. Delegates representing the Council’s 34-county service area elected Lewis as Chairman of the Board of Directors from the slate presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
“Her 6 years of service on the Board, her extraordinary business acumen and her life-long commitment to Girl Scouting makes Kristen a perfect choice to lead the Movement into its centennial”, says Marilyn Midyette, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
Lewis, a resident of Atlanta, is an attorney with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She has extensive experience in trust and estate planning and administration, wealth protection, guardianships, fiduciary matters, special needs trusts, and charitable giving techniques. She received her B.A. degree in French and political science from Wellesley College in 1981 with highest honors, and earned her J.D. degree from Cornell Law School in 1984. Lewis also serves as a volunteer trainer for Canine Assistants, an organization that supports the raising and training of certified service dogs for people with disabilities and is a former trustee of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association. She is an active member of St. Jude Apostle Catholic Church and serves as an annulment case sponsor with the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Camp CEO is launched!
MABLETON, GA. (June 8, 2010) — Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. has announced the launch of a new mentor/mentee program that teams influential Atlanta businesswomen with teen Girl Scouts in a camping event called Camp CEO. The inaugural camp-out for the annual event is occurring this week, June 7-11 at Camp Timber Ridge in Mableton, Georgia.
“Camp CEO is a new and exciting program bringing together executive women leaders with teen Girl Scouts to discover what it takes to become a CEO or senior executive,” said Marilyn Midyette, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Inc. “Girl Scouting is about building girls of courage, confidence and character who will become esteemed leaders in the future. We’ll be connecting our girls with accomplished businesswomen committed not only to a life of success, but to a life of significance,” added Midyette.
Planned activities for Camp CEO include “Dreaming Your Future” in which the women executives will share life lessons in leadership with the teens. The girls will also be taught lessons in fiscal responsibility, networking and creating their own business cards and personal brands. There will be team-building activities including a Zumba class (Latin dance aerobics) and an “Amazing Race” to build bonds through sports and physical fitness.
Some of Atlanta’s leading businesswomen will be part of the camp event including Kathy Betty, owner of the Atlanta Dream (the WNBA basketball team), Yolanda Adrean, Atlanta city councilwoman for District 8, Susan Bixler, chief executive officer of Bixler Consulting Group (and finalist for Small Business Person of the Year), Kelly Dolan, executive director for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® (Atlanta chapter) and Jean Holloway, executive vice president of Bank of North Georgia. Girl Scout attendees are mostly from grades 10, 11 and 12, and were selected based on proven leadership skills, an essay application, a personal interview and references.
Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony for New Girl Scout Facility
MABLETON, May 28, 2010 — Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta held their ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Over 80 people were in attendance, including girl and adult members and community supporters.
The event marked the official inauguration of the refurbished Girl Scout Service Center, and the new Girl Scout Business Center, an environmentally friendly and sustainable, LEED® certified building in Mableton, GA. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. “We are thrilled to celebrate the construction of our new facility,” said Marilyn Midyette, CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “Our building serves as a symbol of our commitment as an organization to environmental education and reducing our environmental footprint.”
The morning began with 19-year-old Morgan Coffey, a Girl Scout Gold Award winner and 2009 Woman of Distinction, speaking to the attendees about the importance of Girl Scouting, telling the audience, “Girl Scouts is an organization, but more importantly it is a movement. It is a living breathing body of girls and young women who are learning how they are going to change the world before them.”
Morgan was followed by keynote speaker, Rob Garcia, President of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, welcoming Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta to their new home at Camp Timber Ridge.
Chair-elect, Kristin Lewis led the group outside to the Girl’s Garden to present gifts three long-standing volunteers. A marble bench was dedicated to life-long Girl Scout, Ms. Stephanie Parker. Ms. Parker was Chairman of the Board during the inception of the Coming Home Capital Campaign. She oversaw “a nationally driven realignment, the feasibility study of the capital campaign, and a nationwide CEO search,” said Ms. Lewis.
Read full press release: 5/25/10 - Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta celebrate with Ribbon-cutting and Dedication Ceremony
Twelve-year-old shareholder and Girl Scout meets Home Depot CEO Frank Blake at annual meeting
Lawrenceville Girl Scout Cadette, Emma Allison, recently attended Home Depot’s annual meeting at the Cobb Galleria Centre where she met Home Depot’s CEO Frank Blake. Emma, 12 years old, is the youngest of Home Depot’s shareholders.
Although shares, purchased by Emma’s grandmother, have not performed well over the past several years, Blake promised at the meeting that improved share price is a priority for the retailer which has suffered through the housing downturn. He said to Emma, I’m going to be thinking of you when I go back to my office, and hoping those shares will get you through college.”
Emma has attended every shareholder’s meeting since 2007 when Blake became CEO. The meetings were held in other cities for several years. Blake spotted the Home Depot pin on her Girl Scout vest Thursday and offered to send her some pins and patches.
Emma’s dad, Doug Allison, said no meeting has been as exciting as her first, when shareholder activist Evelyn Davis talked so long Home Depot finally shut off her microphone.
This year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) voiced an annual plea for Home Depot to stop selling glue traps to catch rodents.
When Emma was asked if PETA should give up the cause, she said, “No, they shouldn’t give up. But maybe (the PETA representative) could shorten her speech.”
Complete story by Rachel Tobin Ramos, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Metro-Atlanta Girl Scouts Honored In Justine Magazine For Work In Community
MABLETON, May 17, 2010 — Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is proud to announce that five Atlanta area girls have been honored in teen magazine, Justine. Girl Scouts of the USA entered into an editorial partnership with the magazine in the fall of 2009 and announced the Girl Scouts/Justine R.E.A.L. – Remarkable, Energetic, Aspirational Leaders – contest. Hosanna Kabakoro from Twin Falls, Idaho won the contest and was featured in the April/May 2010 issue.
Atlanta’s own Vanessa Wilkins was one of five other finalists in the contest. Vanessa was honored for her work tutoring kids who speak English as a second language. She says, “I know that helping them learn their numbers and letters will make a difference in their lives.” Vanessa has also had the opportunity experience new customs and “become more knowledgeable and tolerant of differences between cultures” through her participation in Girl Scouts of the USA’s international programs.
Four girls from the metro area were also honorable mentions. Both Janelle James and Freedom Wright of Ellenwood were recognized for their work as children and youth educators/mentors. Stephanie Gargiulo of Snellville was recognized for her events, organizations and volunteer work. Margaret Hruschka of Alpharetta was recognized for her work with community arts programs.
Girl Scout Outdoor Community Involvement
Event at Camp Pine Acres
ATLANTA, April 12, 2010 — The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta working under a grant from the U.S Forest Service will sponsor an outdoor community involvement event at Camp Pine Acres in Acworth, Georgia on April 17, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This is the second of two events to be held in the same month; the first was held on April 3. More than 100 people attended and enjoyed the day’s activities at the first event. The April 17 event will be free of charge and open to all ages except children under five years old.
“Keeping Our Outdoor Communities Involved (K.O.O.C.I.) was designed by Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta to help people rediscover and enjoy the outdoors. The day’s activities will include canoeing, pontoon boat tours, tree planning, hiking, and learning about watersheds and organic gardening. Participants will learn about ways to improve their communities. Families will participate in activities that can’t be done in their back yards. Children and adults of all ages will experience a healthy and safe environment.
Those attending should bring a sack lunch and water shoes if they will be canoeing. Dress for the weather in comfortable outdoor clothing and athletic shoes. Healthy snacks and drinks provided for all.
Camp Pine Acres is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Atlanta Area Girl Scout Honored as One of Ten National Young Women of Distinction
 
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is proud to announce Atlanta area Girl Scout Morgan Coffey, 18, has been named as one of Girl Scouts of the USA’s 2009 National Young Women of Distinction. Morgan is one of ten young women selected as a National Young Woman of Distinction, demonstrating extraordinary leadership in the completion of her community action project. To be considered for this honor, the Girl Scouts had to have earned Girl Scouts’ highest award, the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fewer than six percent of all Girl Scouts.
Morgan is also one of 16 selected young women from across the country who are serving as National Girl Scout Consultants to work with and advise the National Board of Directors and staff. The National Girl Consultants are part of Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Board Leadership Lanes program, which offers Girl Scouts an opportunity to influence both operational and policy decision making. The 16 girls will work as an advisory group on an ongoing basis, partnering with staff members on projects ranging from program development to research and merchandising.
To be considered as a National Woman of Distinction, Morgan and each honoree spent one to two years on a community action project that has had far-reaching effects in her community and beyond. Among the honorees this year are authors, advocates, and environmentalists with projects based in a wide range of locations—from India, Africa, and China to neighborhoods in Louisiana and California.
Morgan wanted to help victims of abuse so she created both the Victim Support Initiative, which provides 500 brochures filled with helpful information for victims of abuse, and are distributed by the DeKalb Police Department's Special Victims Unit, and Change in a Bag, which provides abuse victims a fresh change of clothing. Morgan also founded the non-profit, Stronghold Atlanta, to help women and children who are victims of domestic violence. When people enter a hospital or shelter after reporting abuse, their clothing is taken for evidence and they are given a hospital gown to wear or offered clothing from a rummage closet. Stronghold Atlanta provides new or gently used outfits for use by the victims.
At a special awards ceremony on February 27, Morgan was one of ten National Young Women of Distinction honored during the Girl Scout National Corporate Leadership Meeting in St. Louis.
"Earning the Young Women of Distinction designation is truly a remarkable achievement, and these young women exemplify leadership in all its forms," said Kathy Cloninger, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of the USA. "They saw a need in their communities and around the world and took action. Their extraordinary dedication, perseverance, and leadership, is making the world a better place."
“Morgan Coffey symbolizes the result of our new Girl Scout Leadership Experience as well as the fulfillment of our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character. Her Girl Scout Gold Award community project has been her passion and is a foundation for her work in the future. She is currently leading a successful troop of 8th grade girls, carrying a full load at Oglethorpe University and planning a fund raiser for her non-profit called Strong Hold. We are proud to have Morgan representing Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta as a National Young Woman of Distinction,” said Marilyn Midyette, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
New Girl Scout Facility Awarded Prestigious LEED Silver Certification - Girl Scouts Have Always Been Green!
 Consistent with Girl Scout values of being good stewards of the environment, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta designed and built their new facility to be compliant with high environmental and sustainable standards. As a result, the new Girl Scout facility has been awarded LEED® Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The new facility serves as the council’s executive and administrative headquarters, called the Girl Scout Business Center.
“We are thrilled to receive the LEED Silver certification” said Marilyn Midyette, CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. “Our building serves as a symbol of our commitment as an organization to environmental education and reducing our environmental footprint. A special thank you goes to our construction partners and our Board of Directors and advisors who provided excellent advice and guidance. It is a proud day for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and one we share with those who guided us along the way.”
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta achieved LEED Silver certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. The building’s green design and construction features include 80% recycled steel and FSC-certified wood; a bioswale for filtering storm and rainwater; low-emitting GREENGUARD unit furniture, no-odor paint, and carpet; low-flow toilets, sinks and showers; efficient systems including solar panels to heat water; “rock star” parking for fuel efficient vehicles and car-poolers; and green housekeeping products for ongoing maintenance.
“Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s
mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
The new green facility was also an opportunity to involve and educate our Girl Scouts. A volunteer advisory panel of Girl Scouts was recruited to select environmentally-friendly materials and finishes for the building. Another group of girls designed and educational program focused on environmental sustainability and responsibility. Holley Henderson of H2 Ecodesign provided content for and oversight of this initiative.
Partners on this construction project included Idea/Span/SWSN; Associated Engineer Consultants, Inc.; H2 Ecodesign, LLC; Energy Ace; Brasfield & Gorrie; Terracon; Coxe Curry; Design:Clark; and Jones Lang LaSalle.
A $10.2 million capital campaign is underway to support the design and construction of this facility. Long-time Girl Scout champion Claire D. Smith is the honorary chair of the Coming Home Capital Campaign with Co-Chairs Van Price, Senior Vice President of UBS Financial Services and Dabney Hollis, CEO of Laura Pearce Ltd. With the full support of the Board of Directors, lead donors for this campaign include the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation; The Callaway Foundation; The Tull Charitable Foundation; The David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Foundation; and SunTrust Directed Funds – Harriet McDaniel Marshall Trust.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the building will occur later in the spring to celebrate the construction of the new building.
Get Your Girl Scout Cookies Today! Going, Going, Gone!
The Girl Scout Cookie season is coming to a close and you need to hurry to get your favorite Girl Scout Cookies between now and Tuesday, March 30th. Not only are Girl Scout Cookies one of America’s tastiest treats – they are a lasting investment in a girl’s future and your community.
For only a couple more weeks, Girl Scout troops around Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta’s 34-county service area will be selling the famous Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, Tagalongs, Lemon Chalet Crèmes and Dulce de Leche cookies along with a new addition – Thank U Berry Munch – a delicious cranberry cookie inspired by all the Girl Scout Cookie customers who, year after year, help girls reach their goals and live their dreams. Each variety sells for $3.50 per box or $42 per case (12 boxes- mix and match). Get your Girl Scout Cookies today -- enjoy them now or freeze them to enjoy at a later date!
Look for Girl Scout Cookie Booths outside of local businesses. For a list of Cookie Booth locations near you, visit the COOKIE LOCATOR on the council’s Web site at www.gsgatl.org to search by your zip code. Check the Web site regularly as new locations are posted daily.
Win FREE Girl Scout Cookies for a year! Visit our Web site www.gsgatl.org until Tuesday, March 30 and enter the Vote 4 Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookie contest for your chance to win FREE Girl Scout Cookies for a year (52 boxes). The winner will be notified by email on Friday, April 9.
Help us to give our military troops a special taste from home with PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS. For every $3.50 donated through PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will send a box of Girl Scout Cookies to United States servicemen and women protecting our freedom here and overseas. To support PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS, go to the council’s Web site at www.gsgatl.org and make a donation today.
Girl Scout Cookies have long been a major fundraiser for girls and their troops across the region, and is an integral part of Girl Scouting’s business and economic literacy initiative for girls ages 5-17. The program provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills as well as valuable experiences that develop girls’ personal leadership style. No other program offers girls so much in developing courage, confidence and character – and it all starts with a box of cookies.
Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program fund activities for individual troops as well as Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, including financial assistance for girls to participate in events, program fees, volunteer recruitment, training and maintenance of eight camp properties.
Girl Scouts Receives Grant from The Home Depot Foundation
 Through its fourth annual Building Community Day program, The Home Depot® Foundation has awarded $20,000 to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. The donation will be used to support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the Live Healthy, Lead Healthy Lifestyle Initiative. By taking a holistic approach to a girl’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual development, Girl Scouts is able to build girls of the skills and competencies they need to be healthy, successful leaders who make a difference in their schools, businesses, families and communities. By enriching girls through training and opportunities in such areas as financial literacy, career exploration, self-esteem, physical fitness, outdoor education, community stewardship, nutrition and conflict resolution, Girl Scouting is breaking the cycles that impact economic and social conditions across the country and the world.
“We are thrilled to receive this support of both collaboration and funding from The Home Depot Foundation,” said Marilyn Midyette, CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. “This positive recognition and support will assist us as we expand and enhance our core initiatives and serve the Atlanta community.”
Through its Building Community Day program, sponsored in partnership with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, The Home Depot Foundation connects with some of Atlanta’s most effective nonprofit organizations, which are focused on building communities through innovative programs and collaborative partnerships that fall outside of the Foundation’s usual areas of giving. This year, 20 nonprofits participated in roundtable discussions and workshops focused on the theme of ‘Social Innovation: Inspirational Ideas and Practices for Maximum Impact.’ Each organization received a $20,000 grant at the end of the day to support their work on a broad range of issues facing the Atlanta community.
“We are delighted to support and celebrate nonprofits in our hometown that have a long-standing commitment to making Atlanta a healthier and more sustainable city where families can thrive,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president, The Home Depot Foundation. “Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta deserves enormous credit for the work it is doing, particularly in these difficult economic times, and we are glad to be part of their efforts.
Governor Perdue Votes for Favorite Girl Scout Cookies
Governor Sonny Perdue speaks with Girl Scouts representing Troop 3360
of Girl Scouts of Atlanta, Inc.
Governor Sonny Perdue hosts Marilyn Midyette, Chief Executive Officer
of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and Girl Scouts representing
Troop 3360
of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
Girls lined up (left to right):
Cadettes: Courtney A.; Laurel K.; Alex N.;
Junior: Laura S.; Brownie: Rebecca M.; Daisy: Ridley M.
It’s Girl Scout Cookie time and Georgia’s Governor Sonny Perdue has voted for his favorite Girl Scout Cookies. Governor Perdue selected Do-si-dos, Tagalongs and Dulce de Leche as his favorite Girl Scout Cookie varieties. The Dulce de Leche cookies are baked right here in Georgia in Augusta.
Girl Scout Cookies are on sale until Tuesday, March 30. If you have yet to purchase cookies from a Girl Scout, look for Girl Scout Cookie booths outside of local businesses. For a list of Cookie Booth locations near you, visit the COOKIE LOCATOR on the council’s Web site at www.gsgatl.org to search by your zip code. Check the Web site regularly as new locations are posted daily. You may also VOTE 4 Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookie and be entered to win a year’s supply of your favorites! Visit the web site for all the details!
Girl Scout Cookies are your treat and her training! You make a lasting investment in a girl’s future and your community. Girl Scout Cookies have long been a major fundraiser for girls and their troops across the region, and is an integral part of Girl Scouting’s business and economic literacy initiative for girls ages 5-17. The program provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills as well as valuable experiences that develop girls’ personal leadership style. No other program offers girls so much in developing courage, confidence and character – and it all starts with a box of cookies. Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program fund activities for individual troops as well as Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, including financial assistance for girls to participate in events, program fees, volunteer recruitment, training and maintenance of eight camp properties.
Scottie Mayfield joins Girl Scouts at Gwinnett Place Mall to kick off Girl Scout Cookie Program
Mayfield Milk & Girl Scout Cookies: A PERFECT COMBINATION
What could be better than Mayfield Milk with your favorite Girl Scout Cookie! Scottie Mayfield will be joining Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta on Saturday, March 6 at 10 am at Gwinnett Place Mall to kick off the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Mr. Mayfield will become an honorary Girl Scout as well.
Maggie, the Mayfield cow, will also be there. Of course, Mayfield Milk and Girl Scout Cookies will be served for the kick-off celebration. This is a family event and open to the public. “My favorite Girl Scout Cookies have always been Thin Mints,” said Mr. Mayfield. “No matter which cookie is your favorite, there’s nothing better than dipping one in a glass of Mayfield Milk.”
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and Mayfield Dairy are partnering for the Girl Scout Cookie Program. From February 15 to March 30, Mayfield Dairy will be donating a portion of milk sales proceeds to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL).
In addition to the donation, Mayfield President Scottie Mayfield says the dairy is also giving milk lovers a chance to save money. During the promotional period, Girl Scouts will be handing out the coupons at Girl Scout Cookie Booths at select locations while supplies last. With each Girl Scout Cookie purchase, consumers will get a coupon for a $1.00 off a gallon of Mayfield Milk.
“We’re excited about our partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta,” said Mr. Mayfield. “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, and we’re happy to help this great organization provide girls with the skills they need to be outstanding members of our community.”
A special thank you to Simon Malls for their support of this event and the Girl Scout Cookie program. For the second year in a row, Simon Malls has opened their doors for Girls Scouts Cookie booths at seven different mall locations during the entire month of March.
Girl Scout Cookies are your treat and her training! You make a lasting investment in a girl’s future and your community. Girl Scout Cookies have long been a major fundraiser for girls and their troops across the region, and is an integral part of Girl Scouting’s business and economic literacy initiative for girls ages 5-17. The program provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills as well as valuable experiences that develop girls’ personal leadership style. No other program offers girls so much in developing courage, confidence and character – and it all starts with a box of cookies. Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program fund activities for individual troops as well as Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, including financial assistance for girls to participate in events, program fees, volunteer recruitment, training and maintenance of eight camp properties.
Project Cookies 4 Troops
Our troops give us a taste of freedom; let’s give them a taste of home!
 PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS encourages the community to help provide Girl Scout Cookies to United States servicemen and women protecting our freedom here and overseas and to support Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Girl Scout Cookies will also reach local veterans organizations. For every $3.50 donated through PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will send a box of Girl Scout Cookies to the military. Our goal is to send 650,000 boxes to our troops.
To support PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS, go to the council’s web site at www.gsgatl.org and make a donation. Girl Scouts will then distribute boxes of the famous Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, Tagalongs, Lemon Chalet Crèmes and Dulce de Leche cookies along with a new addition – Thank U Berry Munch – a delicious cranberry cookie. Local Girl Scouts will also be including handwritten letters—Letters from Home--that will accompany the Girl Scout Cookies to add an extra special thank you. Help us to give our military troops a special taste from home, showing our enormous gratitude and appreciation for their service to our country.
Donations will also support Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, funding activities for individual troops as well as financial assistance for girls to participate in the premier leadership experience for girls and young women. With your support of PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS, you are also helping to make a lasting investment in a girl’s future and your community.
Hurry to make your donation online for our troops! PROJECT COOKIES 4 TROOPS program will only last until Tuesday, March 30. Because the troops have allowed us to taste freedom, we want them to have a taste of home!
TV news feature on Letters From Home
(Courtesy Action News, WSB TV, Atlanta)
Morgan Coffey: 2009 National Young Woman of Distinction
Morgan Coffey will receive a special award on February 27 at the
Girl Scout National Corporate Leadership Meeting in St. Louis
for her work in helping victims of abuse.
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is proud to announce Atlanta area Girl Scout Morgan Coffey, 18, has been named as one of Girl Scouts of the USA’s 2009 National Young Women of Distinction. Morgan is one of ten young women selected as a National Young Woman of Distinction, demonstrating extraordinary leadership in the completion of her community action project. To be considered for this honor, the Girl Scouts had to have earned Girl Scouts’ highest award, the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fewer than six percent of all Girl Scouts.
Morgan and each honoree spent one to two years on a community action project that has had far-reaching effects in her community and beyond. Among the honorees this year are authors, advocates, and environmentalists with projects based in a wide range of locations—from India, Africa, and China to neighborhoods in Louisiana and California.
Morgan wanted to help victims of abuse so she created both the Victim Support Initiative, which provides 500 brochures filled with helpful information for victims of abuse, and are distributed by the DeKalb Police Department's Special Victims Unit, and Change in a Bag, which provides abuse victims a fresh change of clothing. Morgan also founded the non-profit, Stronghold Atlanta, to help women and children who are victims of domestic violence. When people enter a hospital or shelter after reporting abuse, their clothing is taken for evidence and they are given a hospital gown to wear or offered clothing from a rummage closet. Stronghold Atlanta provides new or gently used outfits for use by the victims.
At a special awards ceremony on February 27, Morgan will be one of ten National Young Women of Distinction honored during the Girl Scout National Corporate Leadership Meeting in St. Louis.
 
Girl Scout Junior, Dawn Tumillo, from Girl Scout troop 1687 in Dacula, Georgia, will receive the Medal of Honor – Girl Scout Lifesaving Award at a special ceremony on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at St. Mary and St. Martha’s Episcopal Church in Hoschton, Georgia. Dawn will be recognized for a heroic response that saved a child from drowning. Jimmy Wilbanks, Mayor of Dacula will present the award.
According to several witnesses, Dawn played in a pool, aware of giggling from Gabriel Phelps, the 2½ year old son of a family friend, Stephanie Phelps. When Dawn noticed that Gabriel suddenly stopped giggling, she quickly swam to where she last saw him on the pool’s steps. When she realized he was at the bottom of the pool, she quickly dove down and carried him back to the safety of his mother. Witnesses also said that Gabriel appeared frightened but was not injured and that his mother was very grateful for Dawn’s quick reaction.
Dawn’s reaction to the experience was one of humility and gratitude toward her parents who taught her how to respond to life-threatening situations.
Top photo: Dawn Tumillo in center posing with Mayor of Dacula, Jimmy Wilbanks, and Brenda Strozier, VP of Membership and Product Sales, Girl Scouts of Atlanta; Bottom Left: Brenda Strozier presents Medal of Honor/Girl Scouts Lifesaving Award to Dawn Tumillo, standing with family members and Mayor of Dacula, Jimmy Wilbanks; Bottom Right: Dawn Tumillo holds up Lifesaving Award posing with Girl Scouts from Troop 1687 in Dacula.
 
Scott and Mary Ellen Garrett of Sandy Springs recently entertained a gathering of over 80 community and business leaders with a buffet dinner for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta on November 5. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta CEO, Marilyn W. Midyette and various Board of Directors members gave guests the opportunity to learn about how Girl Scouts is partnering with business to build girl leaders who will transform our future.
Top photo (1): Mary Ellen Garrett, Ed Martinez, Marilyn W. Midyette, Elly Dobbs and Ileana Martinez;
Bottom left: (2): Patrice Walker, Gil Benjamin and Myra Bierra; Bottom right (3): Nancy Huddleston, Joshua Archer and Elizabeth Archer.
Don Barbour, Regional Manager-External Affairs for AT&T Georgia; Judy Agerton, Executive Director of External Affairs for AT&T Georgia; Marilyn W. Midyette, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta CEO; Penny Anderson, Foundation and Corporate Relations for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta; and Gary W. Key, Vice President of Development, Marketing and Communications for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta accept $50,000 AT&T grant to support expansion of council science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently became National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA and is pictured with her husband, President Obama, Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Connie L. Lindsey, National President, Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts from Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Senior
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Laurel J. Richie, joined by sixteen
Girl Scouts ranging from Daisy-level (grades K-1) to Ambassadors (grades 11-12),
rang The Opening Bell April 13 at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). View
the webcast.
Governor Sonny Perdue
and Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and Girl Scouts of Historic
Georgia
Girl Scout news releases 2009 to 2010
2009-10 Girl Scout troop organizational meeting releases
2009 adult volunteer honor releases
2009 Girl Scout Gold Award releases
Girl Scout Board of Directors releases
Additional resources
For more information, contact the Web
site editor.
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