Month: April 2023

Girl Scouts Celebrated Girl Scout Birthday at Sneaker Ball

April 29, 2023, is International Dance Day, and we’d like to celebrate by reliving all the fun we had at our first annual Sneaker Ball! 

Sneaker Ball took place on March 11 at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. 

It was the perfect way to kick off Girl Scout birthday week, which started on March 12. 

Girl Scouts and their families dressed up to the nines while showing off their favorite sneakers.   

As Girl Scouts entered the venue, they walked the “pink” carpet and took pictures, just like celebrities arriving at an award show.  From there, Girl Scouts participated in different activities, like designing custom sneakers that represented a decade, learned from our council historians through fun interactive activities, and enjoyed shopping at our retail pop up shop. Of course, let’s not forget the fabulous DJ 3Snapz who kept the girls dancing all night long!  The girl’s song requests just kept on coming.

The pink carpet set the stage for our one-of-a-kind Sneaker Ball fashion show. Girl Scouts rocked the runway with confidence, courage, and character as they showed off their fancy outfits paired with their favorite sneakers. 

It was a night full of smiles, laughter, and sweet dance moves. The 2023 Sneaker Ball allowed girls to connect with old friends and meet new ones from around the council ­and was a perfectly fitting way to celebrate 111 years of Girl Scouts. 

Photos were provided by our fabulous photographer, Esther Gallarday.

Remembering Girl Scout Volunteer, Pat Walenga

As a volunteer leader, one usually looks to an experienced leader for instruction, advice, and mentoring. Pat Walenga, who died suddenly in 2019, was one of those mentors. 

A photo of Pat’s tribute.

Pat Walenga was a Girl Scout herself. With disruptions in her own life growing up, she could always count on Girl Scouts as the place that provided stability. 

Initially an assistant leader for two years when she was just out of high school, Pat returned to being a leader when her older daughter needed one. Pat never stopped being a leader over the next forty years, which led to having four or five troops at a time every year.

Pat (fourth from right) with fellow Girl Scout Historians.

Pat was steadfast in promoting Girl Scouting. She was a service unit manager, area chair, master trainer, council and national delegate, board of directors’ member, board secretary (for the Girl Scouts of Chicago, before the merger of councils in 2008), and historian. She served on numerous committees: 75th Anniversary, By-Laws, Contemporary Issues, Outdoor, Long-Range Property, and Field Policy. 

With Pat’s many jobs, her dedication to girl involvement and experiences was always at the heart of what she did. Girl Scout activities needed to be fun, as well as a place to learn skills, learn about oneself, and learn about others.

Pat as her clown character, “Yum Yum,” posing with her husband.

At Salmagundi, a northwest area annual event she ran, Pat appeared as Yum Yum, her clown character. On camping trips and outdoor events, Pat would have teams of girls go on an unnatural hike, looking for non-natural items near the path.

At times, questions were asked at troop meetings that girls did not feel comfortable asking in any other environment. One Daisy was worried that her grandparents would be sent back to Mexico; Pat was there to listen. Pat was always there to squeeze the hand of a Junior who got a bad grade; she encouraged a Cadette struggling with school; she hugged and assured others.  

Pat connected not only with girls but also connected with former Girl Scouts wherever and whenever she could. When Girl Scouts of Chicago was considering selling Camp Juniper Knoll, Pat provided the local newspaper with a very old photo from the archives which showed young campers with lily pads on their heads; a half-million-dollar donation was received from a woman who remembered the event, saving the camp.

Pat received every award over the years. However, her most outstanding achievement was the fun and adventures with her many Girl Scouts. Her reward was the joy of working with the girls to help them become confident and caring women. 

Newspaper article of Pat’s wedding anniversary and how it benefited the Girl Scouts of Chicago Endowment Fund.
Pat with former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Pat with Girl Scout volunteers.

Meet the Volunteers Who Explore, Blaze New Trails, and Inspire as Changemakers

Thousands of incredible volunteers routinely show Girl Scouts what it means to be unstoppable.

Girl Scout volunteers put their skills to good use and develop new ones; build community and connection; and make a meaningful, lasting difference for future generations of Girl Scouts through mentorship. Volunteers meet Girl Scouts where they are and respond to what they want and need, using care, knowledge, and experience to guide the way without dictating it. Volunteers’ talents and experiences can change girls’ lives.

From troop leader to service unit cookie manager, the list of amazing people volunteering their time and talents is long. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we would like to introduce you to a few of the explorers, trailblazers, changemakers, and stargazers that our members called to our attention.

Meet Michelle

Michelle is a fearless volunteer who raised her hand four years ago when her daughter’s troop needed a new troop leader. Michelle was eager to learn more about the product program side of Girl Scouts, so she started volunteering at the Joliet Cookie Cupboard. Two years later, Michelle became a service unit manager. As a troop leader, Cookie Cupboard volunteer, and service unit manager, Michelle is a true champion for girls. Girl Scouts GCWNI thanks you for making a meaningful and lasting difference for Girl Scouts through your mentorship and dedication.

Meet Monica

Monica boldly stepped up to be troop leader five years ago and has been empowering girls ever since! Monica has gone above and beyond by becoming a troop fall product and cookie manager. She sorted out all the girl’s rewards and made sure each girl got the rewards they earned as she fearlessly led them through years of cookie and fall product seasons. Monica used her talents to hand-sew all the patches on each girl’s vest in her troop. We are extremely grateful for volunteers like Monica who pour their heart into making authentic experiences for girls and truly making a difference in their lives. Girl Scouts GCWNI extends our appreciation to you, Monica, for guiding girls to listen to their heart and showing them what true confidence, courage, and character looks like.

Meet Marissa

Marissa is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts GCNWI and started her leadership journey in 2014 as a troop leader. Today, Marissa leads a multi-level troop, where she guides girls to be their most authentic selves. On top of her work as a troop leader, Marissa is also a service unit manager. Her dedication to living out the Girl Scout Mission is powerful and inspiring. Not only is it inspiring to the Girl Scouts in her service unit, but to adults as well. Her confidence, courage, and character have inspired others to become new troop leaders. Girl Scouts GCNWI thanks you, Marissa, for your outstanding leadership, years of service in Girl Scouts, and for living the Girl Scout Mission daily.

New volunteers may not realize the impact they have, so it is important for us to let you know that each one of you plays a vital role in showing girls how to be courageous and navigate life when challenges arise.

The volunteers mentioned above were submitted by Girl Scout GCNWI community members. If you’d like to highlight a stand-out volunteer, we’d love to hear about them. You can do so by clicking here. You can also head to our Facebook and Instagram  pages to see more incredible volunteers highlighted in our stories and posts.

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month to all Girl Scout volunteers; we couldn’t do it without you!