Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania (GSWPA) builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With leadership programming focused on outdoor, STEM, life skills, and entrepreneurship experiences, every girl can become unstoppable.

Girls take on new challenges in Girl Scouts, and that didn’t stop in the face of COVID-19. Girls in western Pennsylvania sprang into action when the world was “pressing pause”—supporting frontline workers with masks, addressing community needs during food shortages, connecting to their sisterhood through virtual, educational programming, and more.

Adeline Naser, a 10-year-old Girl Scout Junior of North Versailles, became inspired to support her community when Pennsylvania began its lock-down in response to the threat of the coronavirus.

When she noticed that eggs were in short supply in her grocery store, Naser began to think of ways that she could help. She considered getting chickens to provide eggs for her family and her neighbors, but a local ordinance didn’t allow it.

Because Naser was already working on her Bronze Award, one of the highest award in Girl Scouts where a girl creates a sustainable change in her community, she was inspired to create a petition to change the local ordinance. Naser acquired 300 signatures on her electronic petition in a matter of days. The next step was to take her idea to her community leaders.

In the span of two weeks, Naser created a presentation for an upcoming board meeting where she addressed the benefits and misconceptions of owning chickens. She presented her research, and the change to the ordinance was adopted.

“I can’t believe I’m ten and I just changed a law,” said Naser. “This is why I love being a Girl Scout!”

Instead of feeling helpless during this unprecedented time in history, the confidence that Girl Scouts has given Naser lifted her up to create change and support her neighbors in a time of need.

This year brought new financial hardships to local families, but that shouldn’t stop any girl from having access to the adventures that await her in Girl Scouts. Your gift of any amount to GSWPA will ensure that Girl Scouts never gets cut from the family budget.

Give her the opportunity to create meaningful change, finally ride a horse, ask a neighbor to support her cookie goals, learn about robotics, and make friends, memories, and a difference.

Girl Scouts is available to all girls entering kindergarten through twelfth grade, and girls can join any time during the year. For information on joining, volunteering, or donating, visit gswpa.org.