In celebration of the International Day of the Girl on Wednesday, Oct. 11, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) brought the community together for the Million-Dollar Day of the Girl, in a day-long effort to highlight the power of local Girl Scouting and raise $1 million for their Campaign for Girls in Arizona. GSACPC successfully raised $1 million through several events across the Valley during the day, as well as an email and social media campaign showcasing how Girl Scouts teaches girls to empower themselves and unleash their inner G.I.R.L (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader), making an impact on their communities and beyond. Thanks to generous matching grants from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and others, donations to the Council were quadrupled throughout the day.
Video courtesy of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council
The Council kicked-off the day with a breakfast for 240 people and by 10 a.m. had reached the halfway point to their goal. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Kate Gallego, a Girl Scout alumna, attended the breakfast and presented an official proclamation naming Oct. 11 the Day of the Girl in Phoenix. Stanton underlined the importance of supporting girls and women, saying, “There is straight line between the success of Girl Scouts and the success of our economy.” The day ended with a reception at the Parsons Leadership Center where Mr. and Mrs. Parsons offered a toast to the power of Girl Scouts.
“We are so grateful for the community’s support in helping us accomplish this immense goal – the most money we’ve ever raised in a single day in our 81-year history in Arizona,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “And a very special thanks to The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation for their on-going support and to so many others who made large gifts and partnered with us.” Other donors included USAA, Becker & House, The Arizona Diamondbacks, The Arizona Cardinals, The Phoenix Suns, Betty and John O. Whiteman. Several local companies, Mother Bunch Brewing Co., Practical Art, Sutra Studios, Changing Hands Bookstores also participated in the da to engage the community.
All of the funds donated during the Million-Dollar Day of the Girl go toward completing the Council’s $18 million Campaign for Girls in Arizona that built The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls & Women at Camp South Mountain, opened earlier this year.
“The Campaign for Girls is designed to achieve better outcomes for more girls by expanding
Girl Scouting in Arizona. Girl Scouts has been serving girls for 105 years and continues to be the best leadership experience for girls. We believe strongly in the importance of the all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment. Our data-backed and time-tested programs are intended to meet the unique needs and specific interests of girls, including the way they learn best,” said Woodbury.
“This effort is not over today, we will continue our fundraising efforts to take full advantage of the $1.6 million matching grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The community can still help us reach our goals,” said GSACPC’s Development Director, Christina Spicer. The Foundation will continue to match all donations received between now and December 31, 2017, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1.6 million. To donate, visit girlscoutsaz.org/campaign.
