CAPE GIRARDEAU – The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri raised $300,000 at its annual signature fundraising event, Dessert First. The donations received support Girls Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s “Her Future is Our Future Campaign”, a comprehensive campaign designed to ensure that every girl in the region, today and for generations to come has the opportunity to be the leader she wants to be.
Thursday evening, an exciting announcement was made that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has officially kicked off the public phase of the campaign. Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, campaign committee chair, and the 27 other members have been instrumental in reaching our goal with their time and talent.
“We are honored to have such tremendous support from so many in our community who joined to celebrate with us at Dessert First,” said Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “We are grateful for our corporate sponsors and community supporters for their belief in our organization and the future of our girls.”
The hybrid event, which was held at The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta and live-streamed to virtual participants, began with guests sampling Girl Scout Cookie-inspired desserts created by eight local chefs. Chef April Mathews from Peachy Keen Culinary Consulting won the night’s People’s Choice award with a gluten-free Toffee-Tastic® cookie bar.
Dinner and the program followed the desserts which in true Girl Scout fashion, were emceed by three distinguished eastern Missouri Girl Scout volunteers and three remarkable eastern Missouri Girl Scouts. During the program, the organization recognized two Gold Award Girl Scouts, Anushka Rawat and Nichole Hofmann, for their leadership and service with $5,000 higher education scholarships.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri also honored three Legacy Builders, chosen because of their enormous support and commitment to advancing the Girl Scout mission. Cynthia Heath received the 2022 Individual Legacy Builder Award, PNC received the 2022 Corporate Legacy Builder Award and the Saint Louis Zoo received the Community Legacy Builder Award.
Sponsors:
Emerson, Presenting Sponsor
Centene Charitable Foundation, G.I.R.L. Sponsor
PNC, Gold Sponsor
A-Mrazek, Silver Sponsor
BKD, Silver Sponsor
Cigna, Silver Sponsor
Daugherty Business Solutions, Silver Sponsor
Edward Jones, Silver Sponsor
Husch Blackwell, Silver Sponsor
Spire, Silver Sponsor
+15 Bronze Sponsors found on our website
Participating Chefs:
Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, Chef Amanda Jaspering
Butler’s Pantry, Chef Nick Miller
The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, Chef Sara Alderson
Edibles & Essentials, Chef Jess Osborne
Juniper, Chef MJ Stewart
Peachy Keen Culinary Consulting, Chef April Mathews
Yolklore, Chef Mary Bogacki
To learn more about Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s signature fundraiser, Dessert First, visit: girlscoutsem.org/dessertfirst
We’re Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsem.org.