Postal Service to Salute Girl Scouts in 2012
The Postal Service will salute the Girl Scouts in 2012 by commemorating the 100th anniversary of an organization credited with helping girls build character and leadership skills. The Celebrate Scouting Forever Stamp can be seen on social media and will be issued next year as part of the centennial celebration.
Using social media to reach broader, more diverse audiences is an initiative that began this month to engage more interest in stamp collecting. Select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will be previewed one at a time throughout the summer.
“Celebrate Scouting, the ‘sister’ stamp to the 2010 Scouting stamp, pays tribute to scouting organizations for the opportunities and pleasures they have provided millions of youths worldwide,” said Stephen Kearney, manager, Stamp Services.
The stamp features the silhouette of a girl with binoculars looking into the distance. A scene within the silhouette features a girl in mid-stride with a walking stick and backpack on a summer trek. The environment is composed of large redwoods, a lake and a distant forested mountainside with small ferns in the foreground. The sky has a dramatic blue gradation as it appears in early morning or late evening.
The stamp art was created by Craig Frazier of Mill Valley, CA, under the guidance of art director Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C.
Customers may preview the stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for the back story on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Next year’s stamps previewed thus far using social media include the Cherry Blossoms Centennial, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Love Ribbons, John H. Johnson, Bicycling, Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Tiger and the Holiday Celebration Santa and Sleigh stamps.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
We’re everywhere so you can be anywhere: uspseverywhere.com
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $67 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
Read MoreCreate Summertime Memories with National S’mores Day on August 10
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Celebrates by Partnering with TheMotherhood to Inspire Families to Share Special Moments with S’mores
National S’mores Day is August 10, and there is no better way to celebrate the occasion than with the delicious combination of purely delicious Hershey®‘s Milk Chocolate, crisp graham crackers and toasted, gooey marshmallows. This summer, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate has partnered with influential social media moms from TheMotherhood, an award-winning web community of 13,000 mothers, to provide sweet and easy tips for families to celebrate National S’mores Day and enjoy S’mores all season long.
“National S’mores Day is another great reason to gather family and friends to enjoy this classic summertime treat,” said Emily McKhann of TheMotherhood. “Combining Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, graham crackers and toasted marshmallows is the perfect way to sweeten any summer day and create lasting memories.”
Tips for Creating S’mores Smiles
S’mores have been a centerpiece of summertime since the recipe was first published in the Girl Scouts handbook in 1927. The classic treat is fun to make and offers families and friends an activity they can enjoy together. Below are some quick and easy tips for enjoying S’mores on National S’mores Day and everyday:
- Family Activity S’mores – Make S’mores a family activity by getting everyone involved. Little ones can be in charge of assembling the graham crackers and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars while adults and older children take care of roasting the marshmallows. Once your S’mores are ready, dig in and enjoy this tasty treat together.
- Grilled S’mores – For a fun new way to enjoy S’mores, try making them on the grill! Simply wrap S’mores in aluminum foil and place on a medium-hot grill and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side. When you’re done you’ll have S’mores that are grilled to perfection.
- Party with S’mores –The next time you’re invited to a summer party, bring S’mores ingredients as your contribution to the gathering. Guests will love making gooey S’mores and you’ll be a hit at the party.
- Summer Vacation S’mores – S’mores aren’t only for camping! Many hotel chains offer fire pits or grilling areas which are perfect for making S’mores to help sweeten your trip and create a new family tradition. Staying home this summer? You can also build S’mores at the park or playground in the designated picnic or grilling area.
Say S’mores and Share Memories
This summer, families can showcase their favorite S’mores memories by visiting Hershey’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hersheys to download the Say S’mores application. Families are invited to participate in monthly themed photo contests for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes, including a camera, photo printing gift card, outdoor fire pit, roasting skewers and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores.
For more tips on creating S’more’s summertime memories or to participate in the Say S’mores photo contest and view official rules, please visit the Hershey’s brand Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hersheys.
SOURCE The Hershey Company
Save 10% at HersheysStore.com! Enter Code HERSHEYSAVE. Offer Expires 9/30/2011.
Join the Relief Effort for Girl Scouts of Japan
This statement was released on 3/16/11 by Kathy Cloninger, National CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA
We are devastated by the catastrophe in Japan and, on a personal level, are deeply concerned about our sisters there, the Girl Scouts of Japan. USA Girl Scouts Overseas has served American military and civilian families in Japan for many years, and has extremely close ties with Girl Scouts of Japan. In fact, many of our overseas troops and Girl Scouts of Japan are sister troops. We have received many calls from Girl Scouts around the country asking how to help and are happy to report that the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations has been temporarily suspended. To contribute to earthquake and tsunami relief efforts, you can make an online donation to the newly established Girl Scouts of Japan Relief Efforts. At times like these, Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and will continue to do everything we can to help our sister Girls Scouts of Japan in the weeks and months ahead.
Make checks payable to Girl Scouts of the USA:
Girl Scouts of the USA-Fund Development
P.O. Box 5046
New York, NY 10087-5046
Memo: Girl Scouts of Japan relief efforts
Girls are also encouraged to send expressions of friendship to their sister Girl Scouts in Japan by making origami cranes (Sadako). For instructions, see YouTube videos. The Girl Scouts of Japan made and mailed thousands of these cranes to the United States as an expression of peace and friendship after the September 11th tragedy.
Mail cranes to:
USAGSO – West Pacific
HQ USARJ/9th TSC
Unit 45005
APO, AP 96343-5005
Happy Girl Scout Week!
This week, Girl Scouts is celebrating it’s 99th year! That’s an amazing feat, and we’re just one year away from the centennial of Girl Scouting in the United States. It’s a thrilling time!
To celebrate, this entire week leading up to the 99th anniversary on March 12th has been deemed Girl Scout Week. The Girl Scout Shop has a new catalog out full of practical things like uniforms and fun things like teddy bears in adorable GS hoodies!
Celebrate in your own way! Make some great scrunchies or bandannas with Girl Scout Fabric! Put together a cool memory book of your troops activities using Girl Scout themed scrapbook materials. Or just get together and sing some songs! Don’t forget that you have until March 27th to get your cookie fix!
For those of us in Northern California, you can use this handy Cookie Finder to see where the closest booth sale to you is. They’ve also got a handy Cookie Locator iPhone app, which I’m happy to report also works on my iPad well enough!
Happy Scouting!
Read MoreGirl Scouts and Kraft Take Action
On the first anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, Girl Scouts and Kraft Foods demonstrated how corporate and community partnerships are helping achieve the Let’s Move! goal of ending childhood obesity within a generation. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Kraft Foods’ President of Global Health and Wellness and Sustainability, Rhonda Jordan, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, Lidia Soto-Harmon and hundreds of Girl Scouts joined together to demonstrate how today’s girls are making healthy choices and incorporating physical activity into their daily lives. The town hall event took place at Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. EST and linked via satellite Girl Scouts in Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles with Washington, D.C.
“First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let’s Move! campaign seek to put children on the path to a healthy future starting with their earliest months and years by giving parents the information they need to make healthy choices for their families. I am proud to be her partner in this effort. By eating right and getting the right amount of exercise, young girls can be an example to their friends, siblings, and even their parents to live healthier lives. With great partners like the Girl Scouts of the USA and Kraft Foods I know that we can ensure a bright and healthy future for our children” said Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services.
As part of its participation in Let’s Move!, Girl Scouts is challenging its 2.3 million girl members to take the lead and make healthy food choices and exercise a part of their daily activities. At the Town Hall, Girls exchanged ideas on how to encourage their families and peers to become healthier with the nation’s leading health authority, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Girl Scouts in Chicago, with Chef Robin Ross in the Kraft Kitchens, demonstrated how to prepare nutritious after-school snacks, while girls in DC created a hydroponic garden and took a Zumba class. Girls in Atlanta and Los Angeles also participated in the Town Hall via webcast, asking questions and sharing ideas on healthy living.
“Encouraging girls to lead happy, healthy, active lives has always been an important part of Girl Scouting. We are thrilled to be partnering with First Lady Obama, Secretary Sebelius, and our friends at Kraft Foods on Let’s Move!,” said Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA.
“Healthy eating and physical activity habits that girls learn at an early age can last a lifetime,” said Rhonda Jordan, President, Global Health and Wellness and Sustainability, Kraft Foods. “As the nation’s largest food company, we know we have a role to play in helping people make good choices, whether it’s providing nutritious food options or offering healthy recipes. We’re delighted to stand here today with the Girl Scouts and US Secretary Sebelius to encourage young women to start with the small steps that can lead to a healthy future.”
Girl Scout Senior Serena Patel, a student at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, MD., earned her Gold Award helping women at a local center understand nutrition information to prepare healthier meals for their families. Patel, who plans to explore a career in public health said, “It was easy to get mothers interested when I showed them how good nutrition can help their children become more alert and better students in the classroom.”
Serena’s story is only one example of how Girl Scouts is building the next generation of female leaders who are tackling the challenging issues of the day. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and new programs including It’s Your Story – Tell It!, girls enjoy experiences, opportunities and activities that promote skills building and responsibility, and also promote the development of strong leadership and decision-making skills.
CONTACTS:
Girl Scouts of the USA
Michelle Tompkins 212-852-5074
mtompkins@girlscouts.org
Kraft Foods
Susan Davison/Valerie Moens 847-646-4538
news@kraft.com
Girl Scouts of the USA Announces the Release of the Latest Girl Scout Leadership Journey
Girl Scouts of the USA and Dove®, the leading personal care brand, partner to deliver Girl Scout leadership and self-esteem programming to millions of girls nationwide and abroad with the release of the latest Girl Scout leadership journey It’s Your Story—Tell It! It’s Your Story—Tell It! uses a storytelling theme in a fun and relevant way for girls to better understand themselves and their potential. “Through girls hearing stories, sharing their stories, trying out new roles and creating their own stories, they gain confidence and see that they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others” says Andrea Bastiani Archibald, Ph.D. Developmental Psychologist at Girl Scouts of the USA. Building a strong sense of self is an underlying goal of the series, which was made possible in part by a generous grant from Dove.
The collection of six age appropriate publications or “leadership journeys” have been developed for girls grades K-12 and is accompanied by corresponding adult guides. These resources center on a different theme at each Girl Scout grade-level and encourage girls to take the lead in planning their leadership activities and projects.
The Journeys are central to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Each level of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience takes girls on a journey – a voyage to someplace new, with adventures and discoveries along the way. These adventures strengthen a girl’s ability to discover herself and her values, connect with others locally and globally and take action to make the world a better place.
“Girl Scouts of the USA believes that girls develop confidence and self-esteem through taking action,” said Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA. “With this new journey, we saw an excellent opportunity to equip girls with the tools necessary in developing courage, confidence and character – three keys to leadership.”
Moreover, increased self-esteem is a natural outcome of It’s Your Story—Tell It! because, through storytelling and creative expression, girls gain a better understanding of themselves, learn how to reach their full potential and develop the confidence to become leaders in their own lives and in the world.
“The Dove® brand is proud to support the efforts of Girl Scouts of the USA on this creative and powerful programming, which will help girls to reach their full potential,” said Rob Candelino, Marketing Director, Dove® U.S., Unilever. “The purpose of the It’s Your Story – Tell It! leadership journey is aligned with the Dove® Movement for Self-Esteem, which invites all women to join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.”
The Girl Scouts’ partnership with Dove® began in 2002, with the creation of “uniquely ME!”, a program designed to foster self-confidence among girls. Dove® continues its support of the Girl Scouts through the It’s Your Story – Tell It! leadership journey series. The Girl Scouts of the USA official online shop offers a full assortment of uniforms, program materials, awards, patches and accessories! Each purchase helps support Girl Scouts across the country and around the world. For more information, please visit www.girlscoutshop.com
CONTACTS:
Girl Scouts of the USA
Josh Ackley 212.852.8038
jackley@girlscouts.org
