Brownies is over for the year!
Don't get me wrong, I love those little girls and generally love all that's involved in being a Girl Scout leader. But we had our end of the year party yesterday and it's over. Doesn't it feel good to cross those finish lines at the end of the school year?
I have lots of pictures from the party, but don't feel quite right about posting pictures of children who aren't mine...
We sang songs, played games, ate cupcakes and ice cream. We had our investiture/rededication ceremony and the girls received their Brownie pins (better late than never!). We handed out goodie bags (filled with pencils and bendy straws and bubbles and stickers and candy necklaces and patches and things for their vests).
But here's the coolest thing.
These girls sold a TON of cookies. And Girl Scouts has a limit to the amount of money a troop is allowed to carry over the summer. As part of our Penny Power try-it, we talked about the three things you can do with money--save it, spend it, donate it.
We are saving the allowed amount for next year. We spent some on their party and on their Webkinz prizes for meeting the troop goal of 100 boxes of cookies per girl. And we donated some--well, a lot.
The girls talked about who they'd like to help with their money--children, families, people who need some money because of illness or unexpected expenses, the church. And our school fits all those categories. So I made a giant check and the girls all signed it and...
...they donated $1,500 to our school's tuition assistance fund!
I'm so proud of them. They were so excited to present the check to our principal. And, yes, I gave him a real check too. We decided the one we made wouldn't fit through the teller window at the bank!
Yeah for reaching a finish line and for relieving your schedule of an activity! Summer is almost here!!
Congratulation on such a great job training your Brownies how to think beyond themselves - to work hard, to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and to share these fruits with others in need. This experience will stay with them the rest of thier lives!
Blessings, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn W | May 06, 2008 at 06:48 AM
Congrats to your troop. So generous to give back to your school. It's a blessing to hear them thinking others needs rather than their own.
-Sara
Posted by: Sara | May 06, 2008 at 07:06 AM
That's great! Congrats!
Posted by: Annabelle | May 06, 2008 at 07:09 AM
wow - so many cookies! We have our last meeting Thursday. They want to play the cup and clapping games. Thanks again for posting the instructions! Love, Janine
Posted by: Janine Longoria | May 06, 2008 at 07:15 AM
That's so cool, Joanne! God is so good! And now you've got me craving GS cookies!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | May 06, 2008 at 07:20 AM
That is awesome! Great job and I love the intentional giving and spending!!
Posted by: Holly Smith | May 06, 2008 at 08:44 AM
That is so AWESOME! I'd say that is very considerate and caring!
Our last Daisy meeting is this afternoon. We're having cupcakes and bubbles, and we're doing some tie-dye! So fun! (Pray that the rain holds off!)
Posted by: Meredith | May 06, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Congrats on being done! Is does feel good, even if it's something you love.
I've no doubt you made a big check! That's just a "you" thing to do. I love those huge, over-sized checks. They can't help but make you feel happy because you know they're for a good purpose. Did you ever see that "Ellen" where she got a big check and pulled back the curtain to reveal a GIANT ATM machine where she slid the check in and punched the GIANT numbers? It was hilarious. I doubt you saw it, but trust me, it was funny.
Wow. I got a little carried away with that...
Posted by: Angie | May 06, 2008 at 03:07 PM
WOW! Congrats to you & your Bronwie Troop! How AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bobbie Jo | May 06, 2008 at 03:43 PM
This is Great!! You have amazing Brownies.
Just think, in a few years they will be giving even more to their community. What a fun testimony.
Posted by: Jill | May 07, 2008 at 07:27 PM