Girl Scout Cookies get a twist in fundraiser

Martinis are certainly not for Girl Scouts. Neither are tamer-sounding lemontinis. But when the ingredients include Thin Mints or Lemonades, it helps if you know a scout from whom to buy a box or two.

"They're using actual Girl Scout Cookies. They're really on board," Kelly Prosen, corporate and foundations specialist for the Girls Scouts Lakes and Pines Regional Office, said of the Kitchi Gammi Club's culinary staff.

For 10 years, the Girl Scouts have sponsored a free leadership lunch. On April 2 this year, the event will feature signature cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres -- such as petite crabcakes encrusted with Mango Cream Cookies and Shortbread tapenade. It isn't free; the charge is $55. But there will be no formal asking for donations and pledge cards like the free lunch event had.

"It's a new approach to reach out in the community," Prosen said.

This event, Dreams to Reality, will be raising funds for Girl Scouts in the Duluth, Superior and Two Harbors area.

Since it's at the Kitchi Gammi Club at 5:30 p.m., dressy or business attire will be appropriate.

"It's an opportunity for us to celebrate," said Prosen. A similar cocktail and hors d'oeuvres event was tried last year in the St. Cloud area at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course and Event Center and had a good response. It's also a chance for those who work directly with the girls -- volunteers -- to meet financial donors. Invitations have been sent, but tickets will be available at the door on the night of the event.

Live music will be provided by Marshal School's Hilltop Harmonics. A silent auction including artwork from area artists and gift certificates from area businesses will also be a part of the night.

Prosen said that the name recognition of the Girl Scouts was helpful when asking for items for the auction.

"It was especially gratifying to work with the community for the silent action," she said, recounting that most potential donors responded with "Oh, Girls Scouts! We know you!"

Regarding them, Prosen cited the case of a girl who was studying astronomy at the Janette Pollay Girl Scout Camp just outside of Duluth. The girls were supposed to make up an imaginary constellation and then describe it to the group. The scout drew and described a real constellation -- Leo -- because she wants to be an astrophysicist when she grows up and didn't want to make one up.

Noting the Girl Scouts' emphasis on STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics -- Prosen said every female astronaut who has flown in space was a Girl Scout.

Megan Dawson is an AmeriCorps member who works with Girl Scouts in a Nettleton School after-school program. Those girls recently completed "It's Your Business, Run It," designed to help girls plan businesses and learn financial literacy. Dawson said two of those girls want to run their own businesses when they grow up.

A new program that Girl Scouts is rolling out is BFF -- Be a Friend First, an anti-bullying curriculum. Studies from the National Center for Education show that 160,000 students miss school every day due to bullying. And that 85 percent of the time a girl gets bullied, no one sticks up for her.

"Being part of the planning process, I've been impressed with donors' generosity," said Jamie Sands, who also works at the Girl Scouts office. "Sometimes it's hard to make that "ask" -- people have gladly given of their time and talent."

Fast Facts about Twin Ports Girls Scouts:

• No girl or potential adult leader is excluded from Girl Scouts because of an inability to pay. In the last year, girls in the Twin Ports have received more than $37,000 in scholarship funds.

• Over the summer of 2012, Junior Girl Scout Troop 4040 planned and carried out a collection drive to help out both the Bethany Crisis Center (primarily toiletries and baby supplies) and Animal Allies (pet supplies) in Duluth. They collected more than 500 items for Bethany and 200 items for Animal Allies.

• In June, girls in grades 9-12 will be attending College 101 Road Trip to learn what they should be doing in high school to increase their chances of getting into the college of their dreams. On this five-day bus trip girls will tour seven colleges.

• This summer, many camping trips are available at five area camps including locations as close as Janette Pollay -- just outside of Duluth -- and the Northern Lakes Canoe Base in the Boundary Waters as well as camps in Wisconsin.

For information on the above activities visit Girl Scout website gslakesandpines.org or phone 1-800-955-6032.
To reserve tickets call 218-302-3188. Or just show up at the door the night of the event.

Event details

WHAT: Dreams to Reality Girl Scout event

WHEN: April 2, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kitchi Gammi Club

WHY: Celebrate and support leadership development for girls.