Did you contribute one of the over 1 million personal care items as part of the April Showers collection this year?  If not, you can still drop something off at a Dierbergs grocery store through May 8th.

Saturday was the door-to-door collection day.  I visited five different collection sites in Florissant, Flint Hill, South City, and St. Charles.  For a short period of time at a couple of my stops, I helped count, sort and pack up the donated items.  Below are photos taken with troops 774 and 1099. 

The need is even greater this year for these items as more people are using food pantries and food stamps.  It is interesting that food stamps can be used to buy ice cream but not diapers, toothpaste or soap.  So thanks to all of you who donated, distributed or collected bags, packed, sorted or helped in any way.  You took action and made a difference in your community.

What a marvelous day at our Second Annual Girls and Women of Distinction Event.  It is a wonderful experience to share in my first blog entry. 

About 245 people came together to celebrate the accomplishments of 10 young women and 10 professional women.  Being a current/former Girl Scout was not a requirement to be selected for this honor, but 18 of the 20 honorees are/were Girl Scouts.  What a testament to the leadership skills Girl Scouts learn via activities that help them discover, connect and take action.

Hearing about all the accomplishments of the honorees was inspiring.   But, the closing original song, written and performed by Thomasina and David, especially to honor these girls and women, was spectacular.  Words cannot describe it….you had to be there.

To learn more about all the honorees, please read about their accomplishments at

http://www.girlscoutsem.org/content/288/2009_girls_of_distinction.aspx

http://www.girlscoutsem.org/content/289/2009_women_of_distinction.aspx

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the awards ceremony, but my personal best part of the day was being at FOX 2 TV news at noon, watching 5 of the honorees doing a live interview.  Here’s a photo taken at the station, with the camera man.

I’m sure you know a remarkable girl or woman who should be nominated next year.  Watch the website in September, for the nomination form.