Cape Girardeau Girl Scout Volunteers Honored

At the monthly Service Unit Team meeting of Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, outstanding leaders, volunteers and community partnerships were honored and recognized. Peers nominated Karen Hann, Christina Mattison, Phyllis Pickard, and Jennifer Landewee as Outstanding Leaders. Kaci Brindell was also nominated as Outstanding Volunteer. The local businesses of Zickfield Jewelry & Gifts and Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper & Associates were recognized in their role as supporting the Service Unit and Girl Scouts in Cape Girardeau. Additionally, the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge 639 were recognized for their support to the Service Unit and Girl Scout events held at their facility.

Hann was recognized for her dedication to her granddaughter and her troop. Karen took on the role as Troop Leader two years ago when her daughter-in-law took her journey to heaven. Hann did not want any of the girls to suffer this tragedy alone and end their scouting experience so suddenly. She continues teaching these girls the values and leadership roles of Girl Scouting and supports them through this loss. She also supports the Service Unit by taking pictures of girls at all events and makes them available to parents and troop leaders.

Mattison was honored due to her untiring leadership to 30 girls in her troop. Their presence is seen throughout the Cape Girardeau community by their activities and the support of adults in various roles. She was not present and will receive her award at the next meeting.

Pickard was recognized based upon her enthusiasm at Nell Holcomb School. Pickard started a troop two years ago. Since then, each class level has a troop at that school and Phyllis has taken on the role as School Coordinator to support these troop leaders.

Landewee and Brindell were honored due to their great support of their troop leaders. Both have held numerous roles and completed tasks that have made both troops a great success. Onica McBride accepted Brindell's award due to her absence.

Lori Powderly and Gail Timpe were honored at the Annual Recognition meeting in Branson, Missouri on March 27 but were unable to attend. Powderly received the Appreciation Award and Gail Timpe the Honor Award at the Service Unit Meeting in front of their peers.

Girl scouts do more than sell cookies and sing songs. Today, service is a big part of scouting to help their community and the world. Through the efforts of Gail Timpe, Service Unit Event Chair, all Girl Scouts in Cape Giradeau have the opportunity to participate in a variety of service projects. In 2010 alone, girls made and collected 400 blankets to Hearts to Africa. Additionally, the troops at St. Mary Cathedraul School, St. Vincent dePaul School, and Notre Dame collected over 1800 pairs of shoes to help Haiti build drinking water wells.

To learn more about Girl Scouts or if your daughter is intered in joining, do hot hesitate to contact Amy Ybarra, Membership Specialist Cape Girardeau Area Service Center at 573-334-7741. We are in for some exciting changes in the very near future.