Happy Birthday, Black Diamond!

In 2009 we are celebrating our 35th Birthday – and what a wonderful thirty-five years it has been. Girl Scouting has never been stronger and girls have never had as many opportunities as they have today. How can you celebrate?

1. Take advantage of special Birthday Pathfinder events. Check with your local Field Executive to find out about other events or activities in your area.

2. Complete the GSBDC Birthday Patch requirements so that you can proudly display the unique patch designed especially for this celebration year. There are four categories of activities featured in this patch program: General Girl Scout History Activities; Black Diamond History Projects; 35 Years of American History Projects; and Your Own Girl Scout History Actvities. For more information, download the patch program or call the Program Team at 1-800-756-7616 x13.

3. Our 2008-09 service project is Birthday-in-a-Box. This project will provide those who might not otherwise be acknowledged or celebrated on their birthday with the essentials like a cake, streamers and small gifts. The Birthday-in-Box packet is now available. You may e-mail the program department at program@bdgsc.org to request a copy.

4. Share your Girl Scout story with everyone at the Annual Meeting in April. We are creating a book to contain the stories. Tell us about your fun times, the times that pushed you higher and the times that brought a sentimental tear to your eye. Everyone’s story combines to weave a tapestry of the long and proud tradition of Girl Scouting in GSBDC. Write up and send us your story via e-mail at info@bdgsc.org or mail it to the council headquarters.

5. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity for your service unit to be represented on the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council 35th anniversary quilt that will be on display at the Annual Meeting on April 4, 2009. The quilt will also be available in a circulating display and eventually hung in a prominent and permanent location for everyone to see. Many service units have already responded with quilt squares that are beautifully done and representative of the highlights of the service unit ... take a look and imagine how beautiful the finished quilt will be. We want every service unit to be represented. If your service unit quilt square is not pictured, be sure to get one done today. Every delegate received fabric squares at the 2008 Annual Meeting. If your fabric is lost or misplaced, a limited number of squares are still available. Some of the squares are embroidered, some are hand appliquéd and others are painted with acrylic paints—the requirement is that the medium you choose is permanent and washable. The quilt will have a more professional image if the squares are completed by the adults in the service unit rather showcasing the artwork of children. Remember, this quilt will be a permanent piece of our history!All submissions must be received before February 15 to be included in the quilt. Now that many of the squares are completed and you have a chance to compare your service unit’s submission, you may want to re-submit the square. This is certainly possible simply request another piece of fabric and we will accept these replacement squares until February 15. Contact Marla Akers at marla.akers@bdgsc.org.

6. Get your commemorative 35th birthday celebration items now, contact Susan Smith at 304.342.7722, ext. 22 to place your order. Proceeds benefit Troop Europe, a council group traveling overseas this summer.

Girl Scout Cookies are Safe ...Not to mention delicious!

By now you know that Girl Scout® Cookies are safe from January's peanut butter scare. Hope you got your order in and are patiently waiting those Tagalongs or Samoas. If not, booth sales are coming up in March. Support a Girl Scout and her troop - it's more than a box of cookies, it's a lasting investment in our community!

GSUSA assures that neither of the two licensed bakers affiliated with Girl Scout® Cookies, ABC Interbake or Little Brownie Bakers, source their peanut butter from the supplier involved in the peanut butter warning.

FDA and other regulatory agencies have indicated that Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is the focus of their investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. PCA does not supply peanut butter used in any variety of Girl Scout®) cookies.

The Girl Scout® Cookie Program is the nation's premier entrepreneurship and educational program for girls and depends on the support of local communities. Girl Scouts of Black Diamond will be taking orders January 9 - 26, 2009 and booth sales will be in your community from March to May. If you don’t know a Girl Scout, call 1.800.756.7616 and council staff will put you in touch with a troop or a girl. It’s more than a box of cookies – it’s a lasting investment in our community.

About Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.7 million girl and adult members worldwide. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development and leadership. Black Diamond Council serves 20,000 girls in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, call 1.800.756.7616 or visit www.bdgsc.org or the GSUSA website www.girlscouts.org. Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.