Winter Connections 2025

Winter 2025

Connections

News for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council supporters

Last year, girls in our council earned over 95,000 badges — each one a step toward courage, curiosity, and confidence in STEM, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and the Outdoors.

Closing the Year With Impact — Your Gifts Build Life-Ready Leaders

As we wrap up the year, we’re celebrating the incredible growth and achievements of Girl Scouts across Southeast Texas — girls like Beatrice, whose story reminds us why your support matters.

“Hello, I’m Beatrice. I’m 10 years old and have been a Girl Scout since I was 5. My troop started so my preschool friends could stay in touch, even though we went to different schools. It worked — we’re still close, and now our troop includes girls from over 12 schools! Girl Scouts means friendship to me.”

Beatrice’s favorite activities include camping, STEM projects, and volunteering at the animal shelter for her Bronze Award. Thanks to her older Girl Scout mentor, Lilly, she learned about robotics and discovered her passion for coding.

“I want to be a biomedical engineer. I have Crohn’s disease, and I’d love to help find a cure. Girl Scouts has given me the confidence and courage to believe I can,” Lilly said.

Thanks to supporters like you, girls like Beatrice are building sisterhood, discovering new passions, and dreaming big. Please consider a year-end gift to Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council.

Gifts can be designated in one or more of the following areas:

• CampHER Campaign — Revitalize Camp Agnes Arnold, Misty Meadows Ranch, Camp Robinwood and Casa Mare.

• Program Support — Strengthen the core Girl Scout leadership experience for girls.

• Camperships — Remove financial barriers so every girl can attend camp.

Together, we can ensure that ALL girls have access to the benefits of Girl Scouts and empower them to make the world a better place!

Invite coming soon!

Did you know?

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council gratefully accepts non-cash contributions including:

• Donor-Advised Funds: Recommend a grant through your DAF.

• IRA Charitable Gifts: If you’re 70 1/2 years or older, you can make a tax-freegift from your IRA.

• Stocks & Securities: Donate appreciated assets for potential tax benefits.

• Planned Giving: Leave a legacy and join the Juliette Gordon Low Society.

For assistance with your end of year gift, please contact Susan Thraen at 713-292-0331 or sthraen@sjgs.org or scan the QR Code. Your generosity will help thousands of girls like Beatrice reach their full potential and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Just Desserts

Wednesday, February 4

Success to Significance Was Out of this World!

Celebrating 15 Years of Empowering Girls Through Girl Scouting

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council hosted its 15th annual Success to Significance Luncheon, with over 500 volunteers, donors, alums, and advocates in attendance — all to support girls' leadership journeys across Southeast Texas. Held at the Hilton Americas, this year's event highlighted the council’s STEM initiatives and raised $325,000.

Event co-chairs Kirsten Davenport, vice chair of the GSSJC Board, and Cassandra McZeal, a Girl Scout advocate, opened the Oct. 14 event with a forward-looking message. Kirsten emphasized the council’s focus on STEM, highlighting the more than 27,000 STEM badges earned last year while Cassandra underscored the importance of empowering girls.

Betsy Kamin shared moving stories from her time leading Troop 22002 at the Star of Hope Women and Children’s Center. She spoke of the transformative power of Girl Scouting — how one meeting can spark confidence and connection in girls facing adversity.

This year’s keynote speaker was Diana Trujillo, a NASA aerospace engineer. Trujillo led the Mars Perseverance rover’s robotic arm team, making history and inspiring millions along the way. The native Colombian came to the United States with just $300 and a dream of exploring the unknown.

As the first Latina engineer at NASA, her story of perseverance and innovation resonated with the Girl Scout mission of empowering girls through hands-on learning and mentorship. Trujillo encouraged girls to dream boldly and pursue careers in science and space.

A highlight of the program was the Girl Scout panel, during which Trujillo interviewed four girls about their Girl Scout journeys. The girls, Madeleine S., MacKenzie M., Beatrice G., and Wren H., shared their aspirations and STEM experience. One girl said she discovered her future career through a STEM activity. The girls’ confidence and curiosity reminded the audience of why investing in girls is one of the most powerful ways to build a better world.

Thank you for making it possible. You help ensure that every girl has a chance to become a Girl Scout. Nearly half of our members receive financial aid, and one-third participate in our outreach program, in schools, shelters, and juvenile centers. You are helping girls build courage, confidence, and character.

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Why I Give: Yvonne Myles

The daughter of a military man, Yvonne Myles’ childhood was marked by frequent moves. She joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie in Kansas, and a year later continued her journey with a Junior troop in Oklahoma. There, she made lasting friendships and remained active in Girl Scouting through her senior year of high school.

One of Yvonne’s fondest memories is of the Girl Scout hut, a rounded limestone building nestled near open fields on the outskirts of the administrative headquarters and post commanding officers’ homes. It served as the central hub for troop activities and a place of belonging.

Throughout her Girl Scouting experience, Yvonne was guided by inspiring and supportive leaders who encouraged her to take risks and challenge herself. Her Senior troop leader even taught the girls to sail 21-foot sailboats on nearby Lake Lawtonka — an unforgettable adventure.

As a Cadette, Yvonne helped organize a statewide conference at Fort Sill, transforming unused army barracks into lodging for visiting Girl Scouts. Later, as a Senior, she met with the commanding general’s wife to seek advice for another statewide event. When asked, “Your plans sound nice, but wouldn’t you like to do something exciting?” Yvonne and her co-organizers took the challenge to heart. The result? A thrilling new conference activity: rappelling off the Medicine Bluffs, a cliff formation used in Army training exercises.

Thank You, Donors!

$100,000-$499,999 –

Silver

Kay K. Craig

$50,000-$99,999 –

Bronze

The George Foundation

The John M. O’Quinn Foundation

Kathryn Sanders

$25,000-$49,999 –Ambassador

Amegy Bank of Texas

Lynn L. and John Elsenhans

Hildebrand Fund

The Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation

$10,000-$24,999 –

Senior

Helen Bell Charitable Trust

Julie and Richard Boushka

Kim K. Denney

EOG Resources, Inc.

George and Mary

Josephine Hamman Foundation

H-E-B

Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation

Memorial Hermann

Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Methodist Church

Anne E. Neeson

Mary Jo Poindexter

United Way Galveston

County Mainland Whalley Foundation

$5,000-$9,999 – Cadette Blank Rome LLP

The Boeing Company

H.H. and Edna Houseman Charitable Trust

Elizabeth “Betsy” Kamin

Robert & Pearl Knox

Charitable Foundation

Candice E. Koederitz KPMG LLP

Cassandra McZeal

Sarah and Cliff Trend Union Pacific Foundation

$1,000-$4,999 – Junior

Alliance Bernstein

Ashdon Farms

Justin Burney

Rachael Cahan

Ellen Chin

James Collins

The Community Foundation of Brazoria County

Kirsten A. Davenport

Yvonne’s commitment to Girl Scouts continued into adulthood. While in college, she briefly volunteered with a troop in Oklahoma. Years later, while working at Conoco, a friend and fellow Girl Scout introduced her to the San Jacinto Council, reigniting her connection to the Movement.

When planning her estate, Yvonne made sure to care for both her family and the organizations that shaped her. By naming Girl Scouts as a beneficiary in her will, she joined the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto’s Juliette Gordon Low Society.

“Girl Scouts gave me the confidence to take on bold challenges and overcome obstacles along the way,” Yvonne said. “I would not be the woman I am today without the experience of Girl Scouting and the supportive, inspiring leaders who guided my way.”

One of the simplest ways to make a future contribution is to include Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council in your will. If you have already made GSSJC one of your beneficiaries, share this with us. For more information, contact Susan Thraen at sthraen@sjgs.org or 713-292-0331.

Great care has been exercised to ensure the proper recognition of our donors. If an error or omission does occur, we apologize and hope you will bring it to our attention. Contact Suzanne Carmona at scarmona@sjgs.org. Contributions made July 1 – Sept. 30, 2025.

Tunis and Kevin Deal

Ann Deaton and Angeles

Wealth Management

Thea Fabio and Richard

Merrill

Samina Farid

The Friedkin Group

Jane Gasdaska

Steven Goodman

Martha Gurwit

Akilla Hameed

Peggy D. Haney

MeiPo Ho and The Vogt

Family

C. Susan and Hal Howes

Sandy A. Judson

Sue Kean and Grady

Walker

Lauren G. Lindsay

Adriana Loyo Solemsaas

Angela MartinWorthington

Mary B. McIntire, Ph.D.

Melanie Mouzoon

Dorothy and Malcolm Paterson

Teresa and Daniel Peneguy

Melanie Rippentrop

Jill Shaffer

Kathy M. Tamer

Eboni Taylor Mallett

Hilary Tyson

Melinda and Lee Underhill

Silvia Urteaga

Mary and Mike Vitek

Kimberly Wells

Sharon Yacob

$250-$999 – Brownie

Jennifer Alessio

Marj D. Bernhardt

Ana Blackmon

Stephanie Burritt

Magna R. Cayll

Enbridge Inc.

Melissa Hardy

Bill Hatfield

Elizabeth M. Hernandez

Insperity Services LP

Valerie Jalufka

Joyce I. Kamla

Klein Trails Community

The Kroger Company

Boyd S. Lange

Law Offices of Jose R. Lopez II, PC

Suleima Mohamed Cepeda

Judy Moses

Seff Family Charitable Giving

Shell Energy Solutions

Anita M. Shorosky

Ellen Stickney

United Way of Brazoria County

United Way of Midland County

United Way Suncoast

Donald J. Victory

Danielle Ward

Janet E. Wolf

Memorials In Memory of Nylda Comeaux

Renice Armelin

Christine and Jerry Brandewie

Hermille Gonzalez

Mike Janikowski

In Memory of

Mary Gedelian

Brenda and Dwayne Young

Honorariums In Honor of Katherine French Raley

Katherine French

In Honor of Lee Ann Strickling

Ruth Ritter

In Honor of Troop 25357

Ana Blackmon

Michelle Raab

ExxonMobil Volunteers

Bring Energy and Heart to Casa Mare

Casa Mare got a powerful boost of care and community spirit thanks to a hardworking crew from ExxonMobil. As part of the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County (UWGBACC) Day of Caring, these volunteers showed up ready to make a difference at the camp — and they delivered.

From the moment they arrived on Oct. 2, the team jumped into action. They cleaned showers and windows, picked up trash, trimmed around fire pits, and cleared low-hanging branches to make the camp safer and more inviting. But they didn’t stop there. They also built seven new firewood holders, adding a thoughtful touch that will make future campfires more memorable.

Their dedication and teamwork transformed the camp in just one day, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who visits. We’re incredibly grateful to ExxonMobil and UWGBACC for their generosity and commitment to our mission.

Thanks for helping us keep Casa Mare a place where memories are made and nature is celebrated!

3110 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77098-4508

Visit us online at www.gssjc.org.

Happy

Holidays

from Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council!

Your gift opens doors! gssjc.org/donate

Girls Build Leadership Skills at Camp

This summer, 1,065 Girl Scouts didn’t just attend camp and roast s’mores — they stepped into leadership at summer overnight camp. At Camp Agnes Arnold, Misty Meadows Ranch and Casa Mare — all American Camp Association accredited — girls developed confidence, teamwork, and resilience through outdoor adventures.

From mastering archery and canoeing to tackling high ropes at the Adventure Park, campers learned to lead, problem-solve, and support one another. These experiences go beyond fun — they build skills that last a lifetime.

Of course, traditions like campfire cookouts, s’mores, and sing-alongs were part of the magic, along with new favorites like glow foam dance parties and weekly hoedowns with live music.

Across our council, Girl Scouts enjoyed 46.467 outdoor experiences, including troop camping throughout the year, creating unforgettable memories and growing as leaders in the great outdoors.

Thanks to generous donors, GSSJC awarded $105,000 in camperships that supported 206 girls—a 60% increase from last year! Your support made this possible. We can’t wait to do it again next year! Donate for next summer at gssjc.org/donate.