for Girl Scouts of Western New York Donors and Alums
In this issue:
CEO’s Message
Donor Spotlight
Women of Distinction 2026
International Travel Honoring Our Gold Award Girl Scouts
Celebrating Scholarship Recipients
Carrying the Legacy Forward Rekindle at Camp
CEO’s Message
“
Together, we are showing young people that everything they need is already within them — bravery, con dence, and a dedication to leaving their communities better than they found them.”
As summer unfolds across Western New York, I nd myself re ecting on the extraordinary impact you make possible for Girl Scouts every single day.
Because of your generosity, Girl Scouts across Western New York are nding their strengths within. Girl Scouts are dedicating time to critical community needs and earning the prestigious Gold Award. They’re building leadership skills at camp, traveling beyond their comfort zones, and learning the power of sisterhood that lasts a lifetime. In every story throughout this issue of Raising Change, you will see the incredible outcomes that happen when girls are surrounded by opportunity, encouragement, and belonging.
You are helping girls build courage on ropes courses, con dence on hiking trails, and character through service to others. You are helping create experiences that inspire girls to lead boldly, care deeply, and believe fully in their own potential. From our exciting new partnership with the American Camp Association to the inspiring achievements of our 41 2026 Gold Award Girl Scouts who provided over 3,280 hours of service to their communities, your support continues to open doors for our youth across Western New York.
One of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing how Girl Scouting shapes girls not just for a season, but for a lifetime. This issue beautifully captures stories of girls who grew up together through camp res, community service, travel adventures, and leadership experiences—carrying those lessons with them into adulthood. That lifelong impact is only possible because of caring supporters like you.
Thank you for believing in our Girl Scouts. Thank you for investing in experiences that help them discover their strengths, nd their voices, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Together, we are showing young people that everything they need is already within them—bravery, con dence, and a dedication to leaving their communities better than they found them. These are the brilliant young people that will lead us into the future, and I’m thrilled for you to learn more about them in this issue of Raising Change.
With gratitude,
Cara Biddlecom Chief Executive O cer
Daisy Troop 32119 was celebrated with pizza and a slime-making party with CEO Cara Biddlecom (Top, center) in April for welcoming new friends into their troop. In a full circle moment, a new Girl Scout was welcomed at that very meeting. Thank you to Troop 32119 for showing what our friendship circle is all about!
Donor Spotlight
American Camp Association Character at Camp Grant Award
Girl Scouts of WNY is proud to share that it has been selected as a grantee for the American Camp Association (ACA) Character at Camp Grant Program, a competitive national initiative supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Through this initiative, ACA partners with outdoor programs across the country to strengthen the development of key character strengths in young people. As a grantee, GSWNY will further enhance its commitment to creating meaningful experiences that promote belonging, leadership, and personal growth for both campers and sta . GSWNY is launching Rising Strong: Building Courage, Con dence, and Character at Camp—a bold, three-year initiative to expand o -season (spring/fall) character development programming rooted in ropes course experiences at Camp Piperwood in Fairport, NY and Camp Seven Hills in Holland, NY. With ACA support, this work will extend GSWNY’s reach beyond the summer months, with a focus on engaging youth of color and families with lower incomes in outdoor leadership development opportunities.
“This grant from the American Camp Association is an incredible investment in the youth and communities we serve. Through the American Camp Association Character at Camp grant award, over the next three years, we will expand the power of camp beyond the summer months to build belonging, leadership, and personal growth through exciting outdoor programs. This grant award represents an important opportunity to serve more youth across Western New York and cultivate their character,” said Cara Biddlecom, CEO, Girl Scouts of WNY.
As part of the initiative, Mary Beth Sullivan, GSWNY Camp Piperwood Director, recently attended a Character Workshop at the New England Camp Conference in Manchester, NH. The experience reinforced the importance of creating a sense of belonging at camp, alongside opportunities to build character strengths such as empathy, responsibility, and leadership.
"The day was engaging and rea rmed the importance of building character in our youth. In addition to discussing theory, we participated in activities which reinforced how our experiences shape how we engage with youth." These insights will continue to strengthen the meaningful growth and leadership experiences o ered at Camp Piperwood.
By participating in the Character at Camp program, GSWNY joins a national network of camps working with the American Camp Association to advance best practices in character development and elevate camp as a powerful setting for youth learning and growth.
If you’ve been inspired by the accomplishments and stories throughout Girl Scouts of Western New York, we invite you to help keep this momentum going. Your support makes it possible for us to continue inspiring, leading, and mentoring girls across our council, opening doors to new experiences, lifelong skills, and opportunities they may not otherwise have.
Please consider making a donation today to ensure we can continue empowering the next generation of courageous, con dent, and character-driven leaders. Every gift, no matter the size, helps shape brighter futures for the girls of GSWNY.
Scan here to invest in our girls!
www.gswny.org/donate
Camp Piperwood above; Camp Seven Hills right
Women of Distinction Celebration 2026
Investing in Girls, Changing the World
On April 16, 2026, Girl Scouts of Western New York proudly welcomed supporters, community leaders, and Girl Scouts together for an unforgettable Women of Distinction Celebration, an evening lled with inspiration, gratitude, and the shared belief in the power of girls.
The evening began with a beautiful Girl Scout Flag Ceremony, setting a tone of pride, tradition, and community. Girl Scout emcees Stella Adsit and Ainsley Cousins warmly welcomed guests, while remarks from CEO Cara Biddlecom and Board President Lynn M. Lubecki, Ed.D. highlighted the importance of investing in girls and celebrating women who lead with courage, compassion, and purpose.
At the heart of the celebration was the recognition of ve extraordinary honorees, each introduced by a Girl Scout:
• Aimiamia Amadasu-McCray, presented by Abayomi McCray
• Danielle Bickel, presented by Victoria Lesh
• Kate Capel, DVM, presented by Evelyn Bergman
• Kim LaVare, presented by Olivia Hunger
• Aditi S. Myneni, honored as the inaugural Rising Woman of Distinction and presented by 2025 Honoree Carly Faller
One of the evening’s most moving moments came from Girl Scout Leah Ashford, whose “Invest in the Girl Scout Journey” presentation reminded everyone that when we invest in girls, we invest in stronger communities, brighter futures, and lasting change.
The celebration concluded with the retiring of the colors and heartfelt thanks to all who make Girl Scouting possible, from volunteers and donors to families and community partners. Guests left inspired by the incredible women honored that evening and by the girls who are already becoming the next generation of leaders.
Women of Distinction is a powerful reminder of what makes Girl Scouting so special: young people discovering their strengths, women lifting one another up, and a community united in creating opportunities for every Girl Scout to thrive.
Invest in Girls, Change the World: www.gswny.org/donate
Girl Scouting continues to build girls of courage, con dence, and character who go on to make the world a better place.
International Travel
The World Is Their Troop Meeting
There is something that happens to a girl when she steps o a plane in a country where she doesn't speak the language, or scrambles to the top of a trail she wasn't sure she could nish or sits across a dinner table from someone whose life looks completely di erent from her own. Something shifts. She stands a little taller. She listens a little harder. She starts to understand, maybe for the rst time, just how big the world is and how much room there is in it for her.
That is exactly what Girl Scout travel is all about. Through council-led adventures ranging from local day trips to international journeys, Girl Scouts of Western New York girls are doing more than seeing new places. They are becoming new versions of themselves.
It Starts Before They Even Pack a Bag
One of the most powerful parts of Girl Scout travel happens long before anyone boards a plane. Girls research destinations, dig into cultural di erences, organize fundraising, and learn to set a budget that accounts for every meal and activity along the way. They practice compromise. They practice leadership. And they discover they are more capable than they ever realized.
Con dence
You Can't Learn from a Book
Flexibility. Adaptability. The ability to laugh when plans fall apart and gure out what comes next. When a girl navigates an unfamiliar city, tries a food she has never heard of, or nds common ground with someone from a completely di erent background, she brings that
con dence home with her. She walks back into her own community ready to take on challenges that once seemed out of reach.
Some trips even include visits to iconic WAGGGS World Centre’s like Our Chalet and Pax Lodge, connecting our girls to a global sisterhood of millions.
A Journey That Grows with Her
Girl Scout travel is not a one-time event. It is a progression. With every adventure, girls build on what they have learned before, taking on more planning responsibility and more leadership as they grow. Whether it is a sur ng camp on the East Coast, a breathtaking hike out West, or the wonder of experiencing a new culture abroad, there is something for every Girl Scout to fall in love with.
The goal is to raise lifelong travelers and global citizens who know that stepping outside their comfort zone is not something to be afraid of. It is something to look forward to.
Honoring Our Gold Award Girl Scouts
This year, we proudly celebrate 41 extraordinary Girl Scouts who earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.
Through leadership, dedication, and a passion for making a di erence, these girls identi ed important issues in their communities and created sustainable solutions that will leave a lasting impact. From supporting mental health initiatives and environmental projects to improving community resources and education, each project re ects the courage, con dence, and character that de ne Girl Scouts.
Congratulations to our 2026 Gold Award Girl Scouts for this incredible accomplishment and for inspiring others to lead with purpose and compassion!
Celebrating Scholarship Recipients
In 2026, scholarships were awarded to 38 outstanding recipients, helping Girl Scouts and alumnae continue their educational journeys and pursue their dreams.
This year’s scholarship awards included:
• Kim Welsh Memorial Scholarship — $2,000 awarded to 4 recipients
• Hans and Charlene Schoenenberger Golden Opportunity Scholarship — $1,200 awarded to 1 recipient
• Ralph and Mary McLean Wilson Scholarship — $4,000 awarded to 2 recipients
• GSWNY Educational Scholarships — $40,000 awarded to 31 recipients
These scholarships are more than nancial support — they are an investment in the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers. Congratulations to all of our 2026 recipients!
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Brooke and Brynn Earn the Gold Award
We are fourth generation Girl Scouts. Our great grandma is 99 and was a Girl Scout in the 1930s and 40s. We started out as Daisies in troop 30266. Our mom and grandma were
Some of the rst things we learned were Girl Scout Traditions
We learned how to do ag ceremonies and we had awards ceremonies and Juliette Low birthday parties every year.
We went to resident camp and did troop camping in lodges and tents. We learned lots of outdoor skills. One of our most memorable camping experiences was when our troop took a ve-hour hike to earn our trailblazer and eco trekker badges. It was challenging, but we helped each other and felt good when we nished.
We used our cookie money to do community service projects every year. We are most proud of our Silver Award project. We wanted to do something at camp and the camp manager suggested a handicapped accessible bridge over a creek at Lakeside. We drew designs, learned about handicapped requirements, and did some fundraising. The bridge is 20 feet long and built very solid so it will be there for years to come for Girl Scouts to enjoy.
We made lasting friendships in our troop. The girls changed over time, but the last ve of us have been with the troop since the beginning. As we move on to college, we will take the con dence, courage and leadership skills that Girl Scouts have taught us, and the great memories. Three of us are going to the same college and two are moving farther away, but we will always be “sisters”.
Brynn’s Gold Award project: My gold award project challenged me to develop choreography for three dances at three levels. Choreography is what I want to do in my career. I had two advisors look over my dances and give feedback. I got two friends to work with me to learn the dances and perform them on social media videos. The videos were lmed at my dance studio with my advisor lming and doing the demonstration counts. I also created a pamphlet on dance and exercise and mental health. The pamphlets are available in student support services at my high school. I gave copies of the video, the pamphlet and badge-related activities to my service unit. The project had a positive impact on the community by letting people try dance in private and to improve their mood and selfesteem.
Brooke’s Gold Award project: My project was based on a community need to educate kids in the dangers of lead poisoning. I partnered with CAO Head Start. I made a PowerPoint from a storybook for children and put together a packet of learning materials including crayons, a coloring book and a storybook. I put all my resources and the PowerPoint on USBs so the preschools could show them and use them again. I realized that parents needed information too so I created a pamphlet with information for parents that I left at the preschools.
Brooke and Brynn Vetter, July 2025
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.
Rekindle at Camp is Coming
After the incredible success of our Galentine’s events this winter, one thing became very clear—everyone wanted to do it again this summer! And honestly… who doesn’t want
This summer, Girl Scouts of Western New York is excited to launch Rekindle at Camp—a series of special day events for donors, alums, and volunteers to reconnect with each other and experience the magic of camp alongside our campers. Each event will o er opportunities for friendship, fun, nostalgia, and outdoor adventure at some of our most
More details and registration information will be coming soon, so be sure to watch your email and follow us on social
