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girl scouts of western new york

Donors wanted to help 838 Girl Scout Troops with buyout of 212,064 boxes of cookies

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) seeks local donors to help 838 Girl Scout Troops with their remaining inventory of 212,064 packages of Girl Scout Cookies through its new Cookie Donor Buyout Program.

While GSWNY has suspended in-person activities and events, including Girl Scout Cookie booths, due to the spread of COVID-19, donors can still support girls and hometown heroes in their local community.

Through the Cookie Donor Buyout Program, donors may purchase and donate cookies to the hometown heroes of their choice such as hospitals, food banks, grocery store staff, blood donation centers, etc.

GSWNY made it clear through multiple communications that girls and volunteers may opt out of this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program without penalty. Continuing is a choice and many girls decided that they still want to meet their goals and give back to the community at the same time.

“The Cookie Donor Buyout Program has double the impact as it supports girls and shows appreciation for our hometown heroes as the donation recipients of all cookies purchased through the program,” said Alison Wilcox, Girl Scouts of Western New York CEO.

“Girls depend on the Girl Scout Cookie Program to fund life-changing, girl-led programs, experiences, and learning. We are always encouraged by the support and kindness of the WNY community and thank all the donors who will stand up for girls—especially in tough times.”

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest investment in girls annually and the financial backbone that helps GSWNY deliver life-changing programming to nearly 15,000 girls across Western New York.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck just as girls were starting their in-person sales. Being resourceful entrepreneurs and while adhering to social distancing and other safety precautions, girls came up with all sorts of innovative ways to sell in a virtual environment. Girls have made great progress, now they need the community’s help to cross the finish line!

Knowing that ample supply is available, and many donors are seeking ways to give back to the local community, the Cookie Donor Buyout Program is primed to have twice the impact.

Donors can purchase—$1,500: 25 cases; $900: 15 cases; $600: 10 cases; $300: 5 cases; $60: 1 case; or surprise girls with a custom amount and at some levels suggest their preferred recipients by going to gswny.org or contacting customercare@gswny.org.

Donors may also purchase cookies from Girl Scouts they know who are selling through virtual cookie booths as many innovative cookie entrepreneurs around WNY are reimagining cookie booths during this time of isolation, using the power of social media (with parental supervision) to make their sales pitch and collect orders.

No matter how donors purchase cookies, doing so allows Girl Scouts to continue to give back to their communities while the proceeds, which stay local, sustain innovative programs for girls.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program powers amazing experiences for girls and helps them build a lifetime of leadership. To learn more about the Cookie Donor Buyout Program, visit gswny.org. Other interested buyers or donors for the Virtual Girl Scout Cookie Program may also email GSWNY at customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410 and a representative will match them with a troop, or, they can contact Girl Scouts and adult troop leaders they know directly.

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves nearly 15,000 girls and over 6,000 adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Batavia, Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world and take action to solve problems and improve their communities.

Girls Scouts Join-a-thon is Wednesday, free slime, cocoa and cookies offered at Batavia Service Center

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) will host a 12-hour membership drive called the Girl Scout Join-a-thon and offer unique incentives to both adults and girls who register on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Throughout the day, GSWNY will take on-the-spot registrations over the phone and in-person registrations during our normal business hours.

Adults must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer and girls must be in grades K-12 to join. In addition, Girl Scouts is sending out a special invite for girls in grades K-1 to join as Daisy Girl Scouts.

The first 50 to join will receive an exclusive Join-a-thon patch and all those who register during the Join-a-Thon will have a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card, a year’s supply of Girl Scout cookies, or a $25 Amazon Gift Card when they call 1.888.837.6410 or visit a GSWNY Service Center in person.

New this year is our FREE Slime, Cocoa & Cookies event for new girls to make slime, enjoy delicious Girl Scout cookies and hot chocolate, have a chance to win prizes, and learn about the Girl Scout experience. Girls must be accompanied by an adult to attend. The event will take place during the Girl Scout Join-a-thon from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15,  at Girl Scouts of Western New York’s Service Centers.

The GSWNY Batavia Service Center is located at 5 Jackson St., Batavia.

Thursday is Patti Pacino's night to shine in Buffalo when the Girls Scouts of WNY honor her

By Billie Owens

In July we announced that Patti Pacino was named one of eight women to be honored Sept. 20 by the Girl Scouts of Western New York.

Today, the organization provided more information about her many deeds which garnered the distinction for which she will be feted Thursday in Buffalo.

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York will recognize eight honorees at the 2018 Women of Distinction Dinner & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Buffalo.

One of the eight distinguished 2018 Women of Distinction is PattiAnn ("Patti") Pacino, of Genesee County. Pacino has served as Second Ward Councilwoman for the City of Batavia since 2010. Prior to that she served as alumni coordinator for Genesee Community College and Career Center Coordinator for Batavia High School.

While on city council, she has served as liaison to and board member of Batavia Business Improvement District (BID), co-chair Committee Volunteer Selection Committee, and Memorial Day Parade Committee.

She is also chair of membership for Zonta Club of Batavia-Genesee, as well as past president. She serves a Genesee-Orleans Counties Arts Council Board member. She is a member of Kiwanis Club of Batavia and also served as a past president. She served as a member of the Alumni Committee, Design Teams for Education Day & Arts, Diversity Day, and Golf-Bocce Tournament Committee for the Leadership Genesee Class of 2002.

She was a member of Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley Inc. as a member of the Alumni Committee, past manager of the Big Bend Service Unit, a troop leader, Older Girl Consultant, Outdoor Consultant, Council Trainer, and Delegate to the Genesee Valley Council.

She received a BA in English from SUNY Potsdam. She also holds certificates in Montessori teaching and American Red Cross First Aid.

She has received awards and honors for City of Batavia Genesee County Youth Bureau’s Youth Worker Award 2001, Kent State University Career Counselor of the Year Award 2001; Batavia High School Outstanding Worker 2003; Zonta Club Woman of the Year 2004; Geneseean of the Year 2004; Kiwanian of the Year 2007; Leadership Genesee Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 2008; Chairman and Hostess of Genesee Community College Scholarship Fundraiser, Encore! 2017; and Zontian of the Year 2017.

She is married to James Pacino and lives in Batavia.

The honorees were nominated by members of the community because of their demonstrated leadership in their careers and in their communities through public service. These women are considered role models for all girls, and in accepting this award, they commit to mentoring the young women involved with the Women of Distinction event.

This program is part of the nationwide Girl Scouts of the USA program and is designed to recognize the achievements of women, provide mentoring opportunities for older Girl Scouts and fund local Girl Scout educational opportunities and programs for girls 5 to 17 years of age. 

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves nearly 15,000 girls and 7,000 adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Batavia (on Jackson Street), Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls and Rochester.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world and take action to solve problems and improve their communities.

(Inset file photo from 2009.)

Our very own 'Patti' Pacino to be feted by Girl Scouts of WNY in Buffalo

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Girl Scouts of Western New York will recognize eight honorees at the 2018 Women of Distinction Dinner & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Buffalo.

The public is invited to attend this top women’s event of the year. (To purchase tickets, click here.)

The 2018 Women of Distinction are:

  • Lindsay Cray: Co-Founder & Executive Director, Earthworks, Inc. (Monroe County)
  • Roseanne Frandina: President of Frandina Engineering and Land Surveying (Erie County)
  • Althea E. Luehrsen: CEO, Leadership Buffalo, Inc. (Erie County)
  • PattiAnn Pacino: Batavia City Council Member, Second Ward (Genesee County)
  • Venus Quates: Founder and CEO, launchTECH (Erie County)
  • Dr. Dilara Samadi: OB/GYN, Buffalo Medical Group (Erie County)
  • Honorable Joanne Winslow: Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court (Monroe County)
  • Betsy Wright: President, UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital (Chautauqua County)

The honorees were nominated by members of the community because of their demonstrated leadership in their careers and in their communities through public service. These women are considered role models for all girls, and in accepting this award, they commit to mentoring the young women involved with the Women of Distinction event.

This program is part of the nationwide Girl Scouts of the USA program and is designed to recognize the achievements of women, provide mentoring opportunities for older Girl Scouts and fund local Girl Scout educational opportunities and programs for girls 5 to 17 years of age.

“Our outstanding 2018 Women of Distinction honorees have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and are both personally and professionally committed to making our world a better place,” said Judith A. Cranston, CEO of Girl Scouts of Western New York. Each of the 2018 honorees exemplify what it means to be aG.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ and are an inspiration to the next generation of female leaders.”

This event is open to the community. Tickets and sponsorship information can be found at gswny.org. Proceeds from this event benefit programming for girls throughout Western New York.

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves nearly 15,000 girls and 7,000 adult volunteers across the GSWNY jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s administrative service centers are located in Batavia, Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls and Rochester.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world and take action to solve problems and improve their communities.

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