A Publication for Girl Scouts of Western New York Donors and Alums
In this issue:
CEO Message
Donor Spotlight
GSWNY Higher Awards
Troop Service Projects
Southern Tier Highlights
Out & About
Using Resources Wisely
Because of you, future leaders across Western New York are exploring who they are, connecting with their communities, and honing their con dence.” “
Dear Girl Scout Friends,
The start to a new school year is always lled with possibility, curiosity and excitement. This is the time of year where Girl Scouts start o their year of adventure and friendship while sharpening their leadership skills in hope- lled ways that only Girl Scouts can. This season reminds us why we do what we do: make Girl Scouting available to any youth and family that wishes to participate and grow our impact now and for future generations.
Looking back on this past summer, it has certainly been an incredible one to remember. From the laughter echoing through the woods at Camp Seven Hills’ 95th Anniversary to the joy of celebrating Camp Piperwood’s 55th, generations of Girl Scouts came together to honor our past and look toward an inspiring future. These milestones are more than just numbers—they’re a testament to the enduring impact of outdoor experiences that build courage, con dence, and character in every camper who calls these beloved places home.
Cara and Aubrey, Troop 30015 at this summer's Juneteenth Parade.
We also celebrate the incredible volunteers who made day camp magic possible once again at Camp Windy Meadows and Camp Horton Hill. Their dedication, creativity, and care ensured that girls had unforgettable adventures lled with friendship, discovery, and growth. This summer, we were thrilled to bring the day camp experience to hundreds of campers, thanks to our volunteers and generous donors. Our volunteers truly embody the spirit of Girl Scouting—leading with heart, modeling resilience, and showing our campers what it means to make the world a better place.
This fall, we’re keeping that momentum going strong! Troops across Western New York are already diving into inspiring service projects that uplift their communities and show what it means to lead with compassion. We’re proud to continue our tremendous partnerships with the William & Sheila Konar Foundation and Innova Girls Academy, expanding opportunities for girls to explore leadership, nancial literacy, and STEM. And as we celebrated International Day of the Girl and Give to Women and Girls Day on October 11, we were reminded once again of the power and promise of every Girl Scout—each one a changemaker shaping a brighter, more equitable future.
To every donor, volunteer, and community partner: thank you. Your support brings the Girl Scout mission to life every day. Because of you, future leaders across Western New York are exploring who they are, connecting with their communities, and honing their con dence. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future—one Girl Scout at a time.
Warmly,
Cara Biddlecom Chief Executive O cer
Donor Spotlight: The William and Sheila Konar Foundation
Powering the Future of Girl Leadership
Thanks to a generous $25,000 grant from the William & Sheila Konar Foundation, 164 young girls at Innova Girls Academy Charter School in the city of Rochester, NY experienced a full year of transformative Girl Scout programming—woven directly into their school day. As one of only two Girl Scout schools in the nation, Innova provides a unique space where girls in grades K–3 (and eventually K–6 by 2028) grow into con dent leaders through daily engagement in STEAM, life skills, entrepreneurship, and outdoor education. Konar Foundation’s support helped ensure every girl—100% of students—earned Girl Scout badges and built critical skills through hands-on, curriculum-aligned instruction.
This innovative partnership extended beyond the classroom with an exciting eld trip to Camp Piperwood where girls earned the Outdoor Art badge, hiked, planted owers, practiced archery, and played outdoor games, deepening their connection to nature and Girl Scouts. They also launched a successful Cookie Program that raised over $6,600, and even kept the fun going at home with summer Badge-in-a-Box kits. Equally important, the grant enabled weekly support from our Girl Scouts Community Partnership Specialist and training for 15 Innova teachers—empowering the school to integrate Girl Scout programming more independently. With strengthened family engagement, community partnerships, and a school culture now deeply rooted in Girl Scout values, the Konar Foundation’s investment is creating ripple e ects that will last far beyond this program year—helping build a sustainable, replicable model for empowering the next generation of women leaders.
Left: Innova students learning the Girl Scout Promise.
Below: Having a blast on the jumping pillow during a eld trip to Camp Piperwood!
Girl Scout Higher Awards
Silver Award Bronze Award
Troop 20247, Chautauqua County, earned their Bronze Award by hosting a fun and educational Easter egg hunt for younger Girl Scouts and their siblings. Inside each egg, they placed pretend money of di erent values and created a prize table to help teach kids about money, budgeting, and counting as they “purchased” their prizes. The troop also planned and prepared two craft stations and a snack station to make the event even more memorable.
To keep the impact going, the girls packaged up all the leftover supplies and eggs — complete with instructions — into a resource box that can be reused by the service unit for future events.
Samantha and Claire, Troop 61024, Livingston County, loved camping with their Girl Scout Troop. Their Silver Award project was inspired by that passion—and by noticing that many other troops didn’t camp often. They wondered why that might be and decided to help change it.
Their project, Building Camping Con dence, began with a Service Unit Campout at Stony Brook State Park, where they led a variety of activities including re safety, a mindfulness hike, and Leave No Trace principles. They also visited troop meetings to teach girls how to set up and break down tents.
To complete their Silver Award, Samantha and Claire compiled all their work into a comprehensive binder, now available at the Girl Scout House in Honeoye Falls. The binder includes:
• Information and activities on Leave No Trace, re safety, mindfulness hikes, and how to make a sit-upon
• Simple meal ideas for camping
• A copy of the GSWNY Troop and Non-Scout Property Rental Guide
• All necessary paperwork for troop camping events, including health forms, permission slips, and more Their project not only encourages more troops to explore camping—it equips them with the tools and con dence to do so successfully.
Silver Award Gold Awards
Cadettes from Troop 60617 in Webster, NY turned their passion for nature into lasting community impact through their Silver Award project, Community Pollinator Garden. Erin, Lorelei, Madeline, and Clara noticed that local pollinators—bees, butter ies, and other vital species—were declining due to habitat loss and chemical use.
Determined to make a di erence, the Cadettes designed and built a sustainable garden at the Webster Arboretum to restore habitat and support biodiversity.
The girls collaborated with the Webster Town Board, Parks & Recreation, and the Arboretum Board to secure land, choose native plants, and ensure the garden’s long-term care. They even hosted a booth at the Webster Farmers Market to raise funds and awareness by selling handmade scrunchies and stickers, using the proceeds to purchase plants and materials.
Each Girl Scout contributed more than 50 hours of planning, fundraising, planting, and maintenance—learning teamwork, leadership, and perseverance along the way. Today, their pollinator garden continues to bloom as a vibrant, living reminder that small acts of care can create big, lasting change for the environment and the community.
Jasmine’s Gold Award Project titled “The Big Buddy Project” was designed to build a sense of community among students of di erent grade levels, helping them grow both academically and socially while creating a strong support network. Hosted at Notre Dame High School in Genesee County, the program not only succeeded in fostering meaningful connections among participants but also extended its impact beyond the group by organizing inclusive schoolwide events and raising funds to support mental health research.
For Phoebe’s Gold Award Project she created a pop-up, reusable, exhibit about climate change at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Monroe County. In this exhibit, Phoebe aimed to teach kids among other museum patrons about the negative impacts climate change has on our world, and things they can do to help. The exhibit included an interactive experiment, movie, poster and informational pamphlets. Phoebe’s project advisor was Brady Fergusson, the Director of Public Engagement for the Climate Solutions Accelerator. Phoebe hoped to inspire young kids to take action against the climate crisis- a personal passion of hers- and to teach kids about climate change. This project impacted many people throughout the community.
2025 Gold Awardees
Troop Service Projects
GSWNY Council Sta Led Troops 35160, 35180 and 35162 in Erie County worked with “We Are Bu alo Strong” at the Wyndham Garden Inn, Downtown Bu alo. The hotel donated hundreds of bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap that needed to be separated into individual bags to be distributed to the homeless and veterans by the volunteers at “We Are Bu alo Strong” (a Bu alo based nonpro t that feeds the homeless and veterans). These troops are from Primary Hall Preparatory Charter School, REACH Academy and the WEDI Bu alo’s after school program at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Troop 54004 in Livingston County loves spending time with the residents at the Avon Nursing Home, where they play bingo — a
Girl Scout Troop 60680 from Monroe County organized and held a service project at Fellows Road Park! These dedicated scouts re-mulched, planted beautiful owers, and added charming butter y decorations to the butter y garden — making it more vibrant and welcoming than ever!
Southern Tier Highlights
Oatka Service Unit in Wyoming County stays busy with lots of girl-powered fun—from the My Gal & Me sleepovers and World Thinking Day ceremonies to building and entering a oat in the Wyoming County
Chautauqua County
Future leaders at work—Cadette Cece and Brownie Ruthie share Girl Scout spirit and help recruit new members at the Forestville Elementary Open House table.
Out & About
International Day of the Girl
Girl Scouts of WNY celebrated International Day Of The Girl — which takes place o cially on Saturday, October 11 — with two weeks of empowering, open-to-the-public events for girls of all ages. Girls across WNY were invited to join us for hands-on adventures, creative workshops, and inspiring celebrations.
During the celebration on Wednesday, October 8 we hosted our annual Join-a-Thon where over 120 new girls registered for Girl Scouts of WNY and on Saturday, October 11, we honored International Day of the Girl with a special community event at Stitch Bu alo.
Our International Day of the Girl programming culminated with Reaching New Heights on Saturday, October 18, a day of exploration, growth, and empowerment.
When we work together, we lift all girls’ voices, celebrate their leadership, and build a brighter future.
Girl Scouts Reached New Heights at Buffalo State!
On October 18, Girl Scouts from across Western New York gathered at Bu alo State University for Reaching New Heights: From Junior to Cadette Girl Scouts!
The event gave girls a glimpse into all the exciting possibilities that await them as they continue their Girl Scout journey. From hands-on workshops and creative activities to inspiring stories of leadership and service, participants explored how Girl Scouts can open doors to travel, community impact, and personal growth.
Girls connected with new friends, designed their own vision boards, and discovered how they can continue to build con dence, skills, and leadership as they move into the next level of scouting.
A huge thank you to our sponsor New York Life Foundation and everyone who made this empowering day possible!
Check out all the awesome programs the girls can take part in!
“It was an exciting way for Girl Scouts to connect with each other and the world around them!”
—Anonymous
“I am very excited to become a Cadette!”
—Savina, Troop 31263
4433 Genesee St., Suite 101
Bu alo, NY 14225
Raising Change is published three times a year by the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
Raising Change is published three times a year and mailed to active donors, friends of our camps, and select committee members. An online version is emailed to all members and alum, and you can explore current and past issues—as well as our Annual Reports—anytime at www.gswny.org.
We’re updating our records and want to be sure we have your correct mailing address and are addressing you and your family as you prefer. If your address is incorrect or you prefer not to receive mailings from us, please let Bev Rhodes know at bev.rhodes@gswny.org or 585-239-7984. We’ll take care of the change, though it may take up to 6 months to be fully processed since some mailing lists are created in advance.
Thank you for staying connected with us—we’re grateful for your support of girls across Western New York!
