Close to $300,000 was raised at Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s annual signature fundraiser
February 24, 2023
St. Louis, MO – February 24, 2023 – Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is pleased to announce the organization raised close to $300,000 at its annual signature fundraising event, Dessert First. All funding supports the leadership development experience for more than 30,000 eastern Missouri Girl Scouts who are learning essential skills through life-changing adventures and innovative programs.
The event, which was held at The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, began with more than 550 guests sampling Girl Scout Cookie-inspired desserts created by eleven local chefs. Chef Cati Stumbaugh from Sarah’s Cake Shop won the night’s People’s Choice award with a Lemon Blackberry Gooey Butter Cake made with Lemon Up Girl Scout Cookies.
Dinner and the program followed the desserts, emceed by Kim Hudson, reporter for Fox 2/KTVI and included eastern Missouri Girl Scout volunteers, alumni and remarkable Girl Scouts. During the program, the organization recognized three Gold Award Girl Scouts, Coumba Diallo, Mira Iyer and Gracie Steinmeyer, for their leadership and service with $5,000 Changemaker Scholarships. These young women displayed extraordinary leadership while working toward solving a real-world need with their Gold Award projects.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri also honored three Legacy Builders, chosen because of their enormous support and commitment to advancing the Girl Scout mission. Jo Ann Taylor Kindle received the 2023 Individual Legacy Builder Award, the William T. Kemper Foundation received the 2023 Corporate/Foundation Legacy Builder Award and FIRST® in Missouri received the 2023 Community Legacy Builder Award.
“Our event’s success is in large part due to community support, including our event sponsors—like Emerson, who have sponsored Dessert First since the beginning twelve years ago,” said Janine Lawler, Chief Development Officer. “We are grateful for our attendee’s commitment to inspiring tomorrow’s leaders: today’s Girl Scouts.”
Below is a list of some of the sponsors and participating chefs who generously supported this year’s event.
Sponsors:
Emerson, Presenting Sponsor
Edward Jones, Legacy Sponsor
A-Mrazek Moving Systems, Inc., Silver Sponsor
AT&T, Silver Sponsor
Cigna, Silver Sponsor
Commerce Bank, Silver Sponsor
Daugherty Business Solutions, Silver Sponsor
Emerson Hermetic Motor, Silver Sponsor
Forvis, Silver Sponsor
Husch Blackwell, Silver Sponsor
Susan and Stuart Keck, Silver Sponsor
Lewis Rice, Silver Sponsor
Spire, Silver Sponsor
+ 18 Bronze Sponsors
Participating chefs:
21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, Matthew Daughaday
Baileys’ Restaurants, Amanda Jaspering
Bowood by Niche, Suji Shaw
Butler’s Pantry, Julie Weldele
Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, Sara Alderson
Momma Boogie’s Small Batch Cakery, Amber J.
Patty’s Cheesecakes, Pat Upchurch
Sarah’s Cake Shop, Cati Stumbaugh
Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream, Beckie Jacobs
Strange Donuts, Ellie Brink
Yolklore, Mary Boehne
