Are You Man Enough to be a Girl Scout?
Men Volunteer
Their Time to Help Their Daughters Get the Girl Scout Experience
In honor of Father’s Day, the Girl Scouts of Nassau
County (GSNC) are commending the fathers who make being a Girl Scout possible
and invite other Dads to step up to the challenge. Our male Troop Leaders,
council members, Cookie Dads and behind-the-scenes volunteers are crucial to
the success of each Girl Scout experience. The organization creates openings
for fathers to be a part of their daughter’s lives and strengthen their
relationships with one another through participation in numerous activities. We
encourage fathers to be involved and on this holiday, thank the unsung heroes
who load the camping gear into the truck, build “bridges” for our bridging
ceremonies and lend a hand when needed.
The Girl Scouts of Nassau County considers itself
lucky to know numerous fathers interested in volunteering their time to
contribute to their daughter’s, and other Girl Scout’s, experiences. These
include Angelo A. and Jon W. of Bellmore, NY; Jeff S. of East Meadow, NY; Wayne
G. of Jericho, NY; and Clyde R. Jr. of Baldwin, NY; who are committed to
further carrying the spirit of the Girl Scouts. When a group of hopeful Girl
Scouts were in risk of being put on a waiting list to find a Troop Leader,
Angelo and Jon stepped up to the plate as co-Leaders.
“My involvement started when my wife asked if I wanted
to enroll Ella in Daisy’s, and I said sure, what is a Daisy?” said Angelo.
“When I attended the recruitment meeting I was told that due to an extensive
waiting list in the area, Ella wouldn’t be placed in a Troop for about a year.
Once I realized the opportunity in front of me I became a Troop Leader and I
wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“This experience has made me realize how precious the
time I spend with my daughters is. More importantly, my daughters know that
they can count on me as both a parent and a leader,” said Jon. “I enjoy knowing
all the skills I am able to teach my daughters through the Girl Scout program
will serve them well as they grow up.”
However, the ways in which Dads can contribute to the
success of the Girl Scouts is not limited to becoming Troop Leaders. The
seamless execution of the numerous events and activities would not be possible
without the support of hundreds of men who volunteer throughout the year.
Retired New York City Police Office Jeff utilizes his expertise to play a
crucial role in event logistics, such as directing traffic at the recent GSNC “Girls Go the Distance” Walkathon.
“I enjoy working with the Girl Scouts and witnessing
it help young girls build their self-esteem and develop problem solving
skills,” said Strauber. “I appreciate that Girl Scouts is a healthy outlet for
girls to work on their self-image and eventually allows them to become
wonderful young women. I always jump at the opportunity to be involved with
anything that my girls are a part of; it is a rewarding experience to see how
much Girl Scouts has positively influenced them, and it is great to see that
they are all still involved in one way or another.”
When GSNC Dads are not leading a Troop or volunteering
at events, they are raising the world’s next greatest entrepreneurs by
assisting with annual Girl Scout Cookies® sales. The GSNC is lucky to have
fathers like Wayne G who was more than willing to help his daughter succeed in
selling over 650 Girl Scout Cookies™ for a good cause. Wayne’s daughter Alexia,
along with her troop, was able to use funds collected from the sales to donate
three “Buddy Benches,” which serve as common meeting places for kids
to make friends on the playground.
“It was very inspiring to
watch Alexia work towards her goal of selling enough cookies to purchase and
donate ‘Buddy Benches’ to the three Jericho School District elementary schools,
“ shared Wayne. “She was highly motivated. I enjoyed supporting my daughter and
offering her guidance. Then after someone on the ‘Massapequa Moms’ group on
Facebook challenged me to wear a Thin Mint Cookie costume, I did not hesitate.
Alexia was able to boost sales by an additional 150 boxes and we personally
delivered the cookies together, me in full costume.”
The GSNC has the
opportunity to watch Girl Scouts grow and develop from a Daisy to an Ambassador
alongside their parents. Clyde of Baldwin reflects on the memories he has
shared with his daughter, now 18 years old, over the last 13 years she has been
involved in the GSNC. As a supportive father, he has continuously volunteered
his time to help with activities, and is known in his office as the “go-to-guy”
during Girl Scout Cookie™ Season.
“I have always been willing
to offer any type of support, whether it has been helping prepare for meetings,
transporting girls to activities or helping with cookie sales,” shares Clyde.
“I have enjoyed watching my daughter grow and exhibit the confidence she has
gained from her journey as a Girl Scout. I’ve witnessed her take risks and lead
events and discussions with younger girls. Girl Scout’s has encouraged her to
find her voice and speak up for herself and those are skills she will carry
into adulthood.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the dads and father-figures who help make Girl Scouting possible for their girls. We wish you all a Happy Father's Day!
Comments
Post a Comment