Volunteer Connections by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

by Guest Blogger Madison S. I have participated in research activities with Nobel Prize-winning scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. I traveled to Albany to advocate for the homeless in New York State. I mentored a group of young women with special needs — all as a Girl Scout! My name is Madison S, and I’ve been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. Now, I’m a senior in high school, member of Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Board of Directors, and have earned my Gold Award. Since becoming a Girl Scout almost twelve years ago, I’ve been asked the same two questions countless times: "Which is your favorite cookie?" and "What do you do as a Girl Scout?" The first question is simple, because the Samoas are obviously superior, but unless you have all day, it's impossible to answer the second. I've had so many unique experiences and opportunities to discover myself and my passions, impact meaningful change, and serve my community, all while fostering life...

Girl Scouts from Nassau and Suffolk Participate in Astoria Federal Savings’ 14th annual Kids Tools for Schools Collection Drive.    For over 10 years, GSNC has partnered with Astoria Federal Savings’ to help collect school supplies to be distributed to more than 60 not-for-profit organizations throughout Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester, who then distribute the school supplies to students in need.  Once again, on Thursday, August 29, 2013, Girl Scouts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties participated in the Astoria Federal Savings’ Kids Tools for School Distribution Day. At the distribution day, Girl Scouts helped local community organizations, including several school districts, shelters and human services organizations, pack and distribute school supplies from the supplies which were donated. The morning was filled with the smiles of Girl Scouts who were excited to take part and help kids their own age.  GSNC would like to than...

"What you do for your family and your community, you do for the world, because the world is, after all, made up of families and communities like yours." -Junior Girl Scout Handbook, 1963 Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Part of making the world a better place is taking part in community service, after all, according to the Junior Girl Scout Handbook, 1963 Edition , “what you do for your family and your community, you do for the world.” This summer, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is challenging you to perform community service with GSNC’s Summer Service Challenge . But, what types of community service are out there for you to do?   Try some of these popular community service ideas that other troops in Nassau County have enjoyed. Beach Clean Up - Just picture it, your Girl Scout Troop is at the beach flying kites, when all of a sudden, someone steps on a half eaten sandwich… how much fun is that...

On Friday, July 12, Girl Scouts from GSNC’s Media Girl Unit attended Build-a-Bear Workshop ’s Grand Reopening at Roosevelt Field Mall. While there, Girl Scouts built stuffed bears that would be donated to children at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children . Hear Junior Girl Scout Keely’s experience with building a bear for St. Mary’s.  Today, I went to Build-a-Bear workshop with my Girl Scout friends for their Grand Reopening. I made a bear for St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. I hope that my bear makes them smile!  This was my first time ever going to Build-a-Bear…I LOVED it. We got to chose a bear and add a heart to the bear. We made sure the bear was smart, strong and fast and was just like us! We then stuffed the bear at the stuffing machine. After the bear was stuffed, we washed the bear in the bath tub and then we dried it with the blow dryer. When we were all done, we hugged the bear and put it in the bin to donate to the kids at St. Ma...

What is the Difference Between Taking Action and Community Service? I've attended a great variety of Girl Scout Award and Bridging events in our local Associations since the end of April.    Each of them has been special in its own way and each of the girls has inspired us with projects that show what girls can do. THANK YOU to all of our girls and Troops who have worked to make the world better place while earning the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.   Each of these awards are the symbol of the work that you have done and that work is more than a symbol -- it is proof of your own courage, confidence and character.   Hooray for all of our girls who have reached these milestones! Lynbrook Girl Scouts Dedicate Juliette Gordon Low Park In recent years the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, requires that each Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award included not just community service, but most importantly, that girls step up and Tak...