“To be inspired is great, but to be an inspiration is an honor.”- Juliette Gordon Low.
At Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, we also use Founder’s Day to close our Donor Appreciation Week, when we give thanks to those who make Juliette’s vision possible. Most of our supporters donate because they have seen the impact of Girl Scouting first-hand. This year, we asked some of them about that impact and how they’ve seen Girl Scouts be the inspiration our founder hoped it would.
Matt Markie (Girl Scout Dad, Lifetime Member, and 25-year donor)
Throughout his career and interactions with professionals in multiple fields—especially technology—he could always tell when someone was a Girl Scout. The distinct qualities Girl Scouts display provide him with such a positive feeling about his involvement and the impact that Girl Scouts has—especially the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Star Awards—on future leaders, business owners, and anything a girl chooses to become.
Matt’s belief in those key benefits has inspired him to be involved with Girl Scout councils in multiple locations. For many years, he has been a catalyst and voice of the importance of Girl for troops and girls—especially in rural communities—to engage when, where, and how they can and to work actively to build connections.
Having seen so much impact, what’s been Matt’s inspiration to donate? “I give back because I know the impact Girl Scouts had on my daughters, they have all referenced experiences that have made them better people and professionals.”
Valerie Quiett (Girl Scout Mom, Daisy Chain member, Juliette Gordon Low Society member, Chair of our Board of Directors)
“Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has been a part of my life for many years. It is the premiere organization for girls, and I wholeheartedly believe in the Girl Scout Mission! I am amazed at the impact that our Girl Scouts have on their communities; the ideas, courage, and commitment that our girls display are so incredible. I hope that I inspired my community to become engaged and work to support our girls, and I hope that I inspire others to contribute time and treasures to the community.“
Debi Willis (Longtime Wake 19 volunteer, Daisy Chain member, Juliette Gordon Low Society member, and Girl Scout Sustainer)
Debbi has traveled the world with Girl Scouts, visiting all the world centers. When she thinks about Girl Scouts’ impact, she has a broad perspective, “I’m fortunate to have friends all over the world. I love hearing how they “do” things, what is most important to girls in their countries, the challenges and opportunities they have as leaders. I want the same for my girls, my Area, my council. My friends inspire me by their dedication to Girl Scouting/Guiding and their commitment to furthering opportunities for girls. My girls inspire me with their excitement, their eagerness, their courage in trying new things.”
So, with that global view, what inspires Debbi to give? “As I became more involved, I became more and more aware of what our council does and provides. Our donations help to provide funding for camps, outdoor adventures, destinations, STEM programs, and so much more. I’ve watched my current troop of girls back through my daughters’ troops learn and grow through the opportunities they’ve experienced. To see a shy, quiet girl come out of her shell to sell cookies, to watch another teach workshops at an event, to hear girls tell the stories of their Silver and Gold Award projects at our Area Older Girls Awards Banquet – this is why I’m inspired and why I donate.”
Girl Scout Troop #4858
Now entering its tenth year, Girl Scout Troop #4858 is a multi-level older Girl Scout troop whose members come from all over the Triangle. Last year, they decided to donate to Girl Scouts Give, a program that allows girls to support their Girl Scout sisters by giving to our financial assistance fund.
When asked what inspired them to give, they shared, “We decided to donate a portion of our cookie proceeds from the previous year to Girl Scouts Give because we wanted to expand the opportunities for girls who may not be able to afford to participate in scouts. We looked at the information on the Girl Scouts Give website and talked about how much it costs for each girl to participate. We then looked at how much we had earned in profit from the cookie sales and voted on an amount.”
United Way Tar River Region (United Way Partner serving Nash and Edgecombe counties)
Ginny Mohrbutter, Executive Director of United Way Tar River Region, shared why they partner with Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines. “We are inspired by the strength, passion, dedication, and work ethic of our Girl Scouts. To see them in action, whether out selling cookies, performing service projects, completing an official Girl Scout program, project, or activity, the girls are always so focused on learning, sharing, and paying forward the spirit of being a Girl Scout. It makes United Way TRR want to do more and better for our community to ensure that programs like the Girls Scouts will be here for our next generations.
Girl Scouts- NC Coastal Pines’ evidence-based programs and dedicated staff and volunteers make such a difference in the lives of so many of our local girls. We appreciate their focus on providing opportunities for our girls to explore their passions, develop social and entrepreneurial skills, while also learning valuable lessons and talents they will carry forward into adulthood.”
WellCare (Corporate Partner)
Deborah Dolan, Senior Community Advocate at WellCare, shares, “Girl Scouts inspires people to try new things and be confident in themselves. WellCare of NC values the role that the Girl Scouts hold in supporting and guiding young women everywhere. WellCare believes in focusing on the social needs of the community and the whole person, so our members can get well, be well, and stay well.”
Jamie Gerald (Regional Director of Membership – Sandhills)
“I started my Girl Scout journey 10 years ago with a strong desire to help girls in my area learn more about the Girl Scout program and to help adults learn more about how they can join an incredible organization that provides girls with the courage and resources needed to become empowered to make their way in the world. Within my first week of employment, I became a staff donor, opting to have my contributions payroll deducted. This decision is one that I take great pride in each year when I renew my contribution because working in the membership department, I often hear girls speak of their troop and camp adventures that would not be possible without the combined financial gifts from donors. These adventures provide a safe environment for girls to grow, develop leadership skills, communicate, and learn responsibility.”
We are grateful to these and all our donors who have experienced the impact of Girl Scouting and decided to pay it forward through their contributions. Whether you give $1 or $1,000, you inspire our Girl Scouts, and it is a great honor to have you in our community.