Recently in Community Service Category

The Refugee Resettlement Program is the branch of Catholic Social Services created to meet the special needs of refugees. The Mobile Catholic Social Services Refugee Resettlement Program is the only refugee resettlement program in all of Alabama. Their goal  is to make the refugee families feel welcome and to ease their transition into this country. They need the help of generous key people and organizations to assist in welcoming our new neighbors. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama has teamed with Secure the Call to do a unique and worthwhile Forever Green Take Action project. Secure the Call is a volunteer driven non-profit organization which collects old cell phones and reprograms them to use for 911 calls for the elderly and victims of domestic abuse. They are  then distributed in communities through locally based organizations. Last year, Secure the Call  collected over 30,000 unwanted, used cell phones from throughout the United States. These phones were converted to 911 emergency phones and kept out of landfills. Cell phones contain both inert substances and toxic materials which can persist for up to 10,000 years in the environment if not properly discarded. By helping keep these phones out of the trash, Girl Scouts help provide valuable protection to the environment as well as a great service to those who may not otherwise have a way to contact 911 in an emergency.

Troops and individuals may bring used cell phones to the Mobile or Montgomery Service Centers March 1-30. Cell phones will also be collected at "Girl Scouts Rock Mobile!" March 24 during the Eco Fair. 

The Mobile County Public School System would like to have Girl Scout troops participate at the upcoming School Board Meetings. Troops are needed to say  a prayer, present the colors, and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Meetings are held at Central Office at Halls Ferry and Schillinger Roads at 6:00p.m.

If your troop is interested in performing this service, please contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (ext. 1202).

One of our fellow sisters in Girl Scouting, Hailey from Johns Chapel, was involved in  a tragic ATV Accident and was air-lifted to Children's Hospital in Birmingham.  Hailey's injuries are very serious, and she will require several months in the hospital to recover.

As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for Hailey's family, who wish to be at their daughter's side as much as possible.  Your troops can help Hailey by collecting soda tabs on her behalf. For every gallon of soda tabs collected, her parents can stay for a night at no charge at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham while Hailey is in the hospital. 

If your troop has any pop tops they would like to donate, please send them to the Birmingham Ronald McDonald House in Hailey's name.  Get well cards would also be most welcome.

Please contact your local field executive for more details or for help getting the tabs to the family. Thank you for all your support in helping one of our sisters. 

Moving to a new town is unsettling enough; imagine how stressful it would be to move to a different country, leaving almost everything you own behind because you are afraid for your safety?

Catholic Social Services is seeking donations for their Refugee Resettlement Program. Refugees are people who come to the United States seeking freedom from persecution. They are admitted to the U.S. by the Department of State and sponsored by various non-profit organizations, such as Catholic  Social Services. The goal is to make the refugee families feel welcome and to ease their transition into this country.

One of the needs this time of year is gift cards if a troop would like to host a drive. Other items that are always needed are:

Alarm clocks, blankets, pillows, tea pots, pots, pans, cleaning supplies, waste baskets, deodorant, shampoo.

If your troop is interested in this worthwhile cause, please contact Alyssa Mueller: amueller@cssrrp.org (251)432-2727.

Thank you, volunteer Becky G., for sharing this information on how Girl Scouts can help with storm relief:

Averitt will, free of charge, take donated items to their Birmingham location from six cities in Alabama. If anyone has a logistics need in any of the following areas, they are standing by, ready to help. PLEASE, if you need to contact Averitt, do so by calling the toll free number (800-283-1488) so we don't tie up their local lines and interrupt their daily operational flow.
 
Dothan Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director - Alan Jimmerson
Hours of operation 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. M-F
2951 John D. Odom Road
Dothan, Ala. 36303
Directions:
US 231 South: The Service Center is on the left about 1 mile inside the Dothan city limits. Turn left at the traffic light onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
US 231 North: Stay on US 231 North, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the west side of Dothan. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
From US 84 West: Stay on US 84 West, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the north side of Dothan. Turn right onto US 231 North. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
From US 431 South: Take US 84 West, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the north side of Dothan. Turn right onto US 231 North. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left

Mobile Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director- Jeff Spivey
Hours of operation 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - F
5945 Rangeline Rd
Theodore, Alabama 36582
Directions:
From I-10: Take Exit 17 A (SR 193 South / Rangeline Rd.) Go south on SR 193. Cross 3 bridges. Turn right onto Rabbit Creek Rd. Turn left onto service road. Averitt is on the right.

Montgomery Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director- Justin Presley
Hours of operation 8am - 6pm M - F
10406 US Highway 80 East
Montgomery, AL 36117
Directions:
From I-85: Take Mitylene Exit 11 (US 80/ Ryans Rd). Go East on US 80 approximately 2 miles. The Serivce Center is located on the right.
From I-65: Take Exit 171 (I-85 North). Take Mitylene Exit 11 (US 80/ Ryans Rd). Go East on US 80 approximately 2 miles. The Service Center is located on the right.

Opelika Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director - Greg Clark
Hours of operation 8am - 4pm M - F
701 W Point Pkwy
Opelika, AL 36801
Directions:
From Montgomery, AL: Take I-85 North. Take Exit 62 (US 280/Columbus Pkwy). Turn left and cross back over I-85. Turn right onto US 431 (Fox Run Pkwy). Go approximately 1.5 miles to US 29 (W Point Pkwy). Turn right on US 29. The Service Center is 1/4 mile on the right.

Dear Friends,

The last two weeks have been challenging for both our state and some of our communities here in southern Alabama.  Many of you have asked for updates about the area around Kamp Kiwanis and want to know how our sister council in North Alabama weathered the storm. You also have been wanting to help.
 
I am happy to report that the power is back on at Kamp Kiwanis and many of the surrounding areas, and the cleanup effort is in full swing.  Kamp Kiwanis has reopened and will available for all of its planned activities in the coming weeks.  The needs in that area are many, but specific things we are asking for include: water, furniture (many of the trailers being brought in to house families are unfurnished), general household items and clothes.  If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, we will collect items at both service centers and make sure they are delivered to those in need in the Eclectic area.
 
Also, Montgomery's Service Unit 914 is conducting a tornado relief drive at the Montgomery Service Center tomorrow (Saturday, May 7) from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  They will collect non-perishable food items, cleaning items, etc.  

Troop 7238 was already scheduled to host a recycling event at the Opelika Parks and Rec Center on Denson Drive, Sat. May 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. as part of the Junior troop's Bronze Award activity. However, they would like to extend the event to also help collect clean, gently used clothes, toiletries, and school supplies to help tornado victims. Any troop who would like to contribute are invited to come and drop off items during that time. These donations will be sent to the Montgomery office. Monica Frazier, Junior Troop leader and Julie Sosebee, Troop Leader

Please support them if you can!
 
Sadly, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama had significant damage in 31 of their 37 counties.  We understand that one Girl Scout lost her life and countless others have seen their homes destroyed.  However, the council will not know the full impact of the damage until power and communication lines are restored throughout their jurisdiction. You can also visit the North-Central Alabama website for details on what you can do to assist them.

Please join us in keeping those affected by the tornadoes in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Karlyn Edmonds
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

Girl Scouts of the USA was the first organization to respond to a national initiative connecting potential volunteers with opportunities to serve military families.

The initiative, announced April 12 by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, allows interested adults to volunteer with community-based groups whose services are inclusive of military families at www.serve.gov. From that site, potential volunteers are redirected to opportunities and contact information at a council close to them. Girl Scouts' involvement in the initiative is significant; given the significant deployment of military reserves and the National Guard, every council across the United States and overseas serves military families in some way.

If you or your troop would like to help with any of these opportunities, please let Erica Bass, programintern@girlscoutssa.org know by Monday, April 4.
 
Older Girls needed for Face Painting/Hiding Easter Eggs
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be having their 3rd Annual "The Bunny Chase" 5K and Family Fun Festival Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Medal of Honor Park in Mobile.  They are looking for some older Girl Scouts (Cadette, Senior or Ambassador Girl Scouts) to help with face painting and hiding Easter eggs.
 
Earth Day Celebration Volunteers
A Girl Scout troop is invited to show how we are eco-friendly at Spring Hill Medical Center's Earth Day celebration in Mobile.  The event will be held April 22 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ideas would be doing a craft or show how to earn a badge on conservation or environment.  Set up begins at 8:00.  Bagged lunch and beverage provided. Open to any age group.
 
Earth Day at The Hangout
Show the Gulf Coast how you protect the earth.  Girl Scout troops are invited to The Hangout in Gulf Shores for an Earth Day Celebration April 22. Troops can set up a booth and demonstrate something your troop has learned or studied about relating to conservation and protecting the earth.  Show how Girl Scouts are Green!  This could be a craft to do, songs, pictures, etc.  Set up begins at 10:30 a.m., and the event is from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
 
Volunteer and Meet the World's Best Pro Golfers
The 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic is coming to the Robert Trent Jones Course, Magnolia Grove, Mobile from April 28 to May 1.  Join the World's Best Women's Professional golfers along with the best fans around and volunteer for The 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic!  Volunteers are needed to be Standard Bearers.  The Standard Bearer walks 18 holes with a twosome or threesome of players and carries the sign (the standard) with the players' names and scores.  Volunteers are needed Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 28 - May 1.  As a volunteer, you will be admitted free.  You will also receive 2 tickets for your family to enjoy the tournament each day that you work.  In addition, you will receive a T-shirt along with a meal voucher on the days that you volunteer.  You will need to provide your own khaki shorts or pants.  Girls must be at least 13 years old.