Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Announces Million-Dollar Day of the Girl October 11; Goal to Raise $1 Million in One Day for the Campaign for Girls in Arizona

Matching Grants from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, Others to Quadruple all Contributions on October 11

PHOENIX (September 29, 2017) –– On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is celebrating the International Day of the Girl by bringing the community together in a day-long effort to support the power of local Girl Scouting. Called the Million-Dollar Day of the Girl, there are events and activities throughout the day across the Valley, as well as an email and social media campaign to showcase 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. The day begins with a fundraising breakfast that includes a proclamation by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Kate Gallego naming Oct. 11 as Day of the Girl. The final event of the day will be an evening reception celebrating the power of girls and women.

“The Million-Dollar Day of the Girl gives us the opportunity to show the positive impact Girl Scouting has on girls’ lives and the contributions they make to better our local community. This $1 million fundraising effort will help us complete our Campaign for Girls in Arizona that built The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls & Women at Camp South Mountain,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC.

The $18 million Campaign for Girls is designed to achieve better outcomes for more girls by expanding Girl Scouting in Arizona. This vision guided the transformation of the Council’s property in South Phoenix into The Parsons Leadership Center – an urban program center that expands the Council’s capacity to serve more girls, train adult volunteers and facilitate partnerships with surrounding community groups, local organizations and schools.

“We hope the community will join us to celebrate the Day of the Girl locally and support Arizona’s girls. By supporting our Council, contributors are helping improve the positive life outcomes of Arizona’s girls through the best leadership development experience for girls in the world–one that is designed with, by, and for girls,” said Woodbury.

To help ensure the completion of the Campaign for Girls in Arizona this year, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has generously offered GSACPC a $1.6 million dollar-for-dollar matching grant. The local council has also received another anonymous matching gift for all donations contributed now through Oct. 11.

“This means donations made Oct. 11 will be doubly matched, quadrupling each contribution,” said GSACPC’s Development Director, Christina Spicer. “So your $100 donation will actually be a $400 donation toward our Campaign.”

To donate, visit girlscoutsaz.org/campaign. As a thank you for participating in the Million-Dollar Day of the Girl community-wide initiative, everyone who donates on Wednesday, Oct. 11 will earn a badge to show their support for Arizona’s girls. Those submitting a donation online will receive a digital badge. Sticker badges will also be available at the Girl Scouts’ main office, 119 E. Coronado Road in Phoenix, or at participating local businesses listed on the Council’s website. Everyone is encouraged to take “selfies” wearing their badge, and post on social media in celebration of the Day of the Girl using the hashtag #CampaignForGirlsAZ.

FAST FACTS

Why is Girl Scouting Important?

No one knows more about girls than Girl Scouts! When girls are given the opportunity to discover their strengths and talents, in a safe, girl-only environment, they become a positive force in their families and communities. Through hands-on, girl-led and cooperative learning experiences in the areas of STEM, the outdoors, and entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts develop valuable life skills and practice for a lifetime of leadership.

In fact, Girl Scout research shows that Girl Scouts are more likely than non-Girl Scouts to:

• Have positive values
• Develop healthy relationships
• Earn excellent grades in school and graduate college
• Participate in leadership, outdoor, community service, money management and STEM activities

Girl Scout alumnae display positive life outcomes to a greater degree than non-alumnae on several indicators of success, including:

• Income/socioeconomic status
• Education
• Civic engagement
• Volunteerism and community work

Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

GSACPC is Arizona’s leading organization preparing girls with the skills and experiences they need to empower themselves for life. Given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. We know that girls built of courage, confidence and character make the world a better place. GSACPC serves 20,000 girls, grades K-12, across central and northern Arizona, in partnership with more than 10,000 adult volunteers. For more information, visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

The Bob & Renee Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain

The Parsons Leadership Center offers spaces for large and small meetings and trainings, tent and cabin camping, an industrial kitchen, two pools, a Girl Scout museum and shop, a playing field and archery range, campfire circle and labyrinths. Activities at the Leadership Center, including adult training programs, facilitate partnerships with surrounding community groups, local organizations and schools. To learn more, visit girlscoutsaz.org.

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest times of theirs lives.  Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. Driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, roots or economic status – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has exceeded $120 million in giving over the past five years. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media, or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.