Our annual Awards of Distinction event, held this year on May 5, 2026, at the Kamin Science Center, celebrates women who exemplify excellence in leadership throughout our council’s region, as well as the accomplishments of two Gold Award Girl Scouts who received the honors of Girl Scout Humanitarian and Girl Scout of Distinction. Gold AwardContinue reading “2026 Gold Award Girl Scouts Receive Honors at Awards of Distinction Event”
Author Archives: girlscoutswpa
Volunteer Spotlight: Ellen Mosher
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honoring the people who keep our community thriving, this month and every month. Ellen Mosher is a longtime volunteer out of the Northern Star service unit in McKean County, and she has spent decades going above and beyond for her Girl Scout sisters. A troop leader and service unit manager, she is someone who is leaving aContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Ellen Mosher”
Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Blanarik
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honoring the people who keep our community thriving, this month and every month. Kathy Blanarik has been leading with integrity and care for fifty years, and she has no plans on stopping. A longtime volunteer in the Freedom service unit, Kathy has served as a serviceContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Blanarik”
Volunteer Spotlight: Kate Freemer
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honoring the people who keep our community thriving, this month and every month. While Kate Freemer is currently a volunteer for the Brockway Service Unit, she has been a Girl Scout in every capacity since she was a child. In fact, her passion for service has only grown inContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Kate Freemer”
Volunteer Spotlight: Charlene Filsaime
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honoring the people who keep our community thriving, this month and every month. Charlene Filsaime has been a Girl Scout volunteer for over a decade. Currently, she is a volunteer in the Penn Wood Hills service unit. She has served as a service unit cookie manager, fall product manager, awards coordinator, delegate, troop leader, and member ofContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Charlene Filsaime”
Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Ann McSwigan
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is honoring the people who keep our community thriving, this month and every month. For Mary Ann McSwigan, a commitment to Girl Scouts is something that lasts a lifetime. With both volunteer experience and her own time as a Girl Scout combined, Mary Ann has been involved with Girl Scouts for 50 years. Like most people,Continue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Ann McSwigan”
Sisterhood and Experiences Grow in Service Unit 3605
For Service Unit 3605 out of Erie County, sisterhood goes beyond just girls—volunteers lean on each other so that everyone gets what they need, and, as a result, experiences are easy to come by and rewarding. For service unit manager Kayla Gabbard, it’s important to view the service unit as a collaborative effort. She saysContinue reading “Sisterhood and Experiences Grow in Service Unit 3605”
For Troop 60187 in Upper St. Clair, Girl Scout Cookie season is an opportunity to build skills and sisterhood not just among peers, but with younger Girl Scouts, too! This Allegheny County troop has a yearly mentorship program where older Girl Scouts mentor a younger Girl Scouts Daisies and show them the ropes of cookieContinue reading
Volunteer Spotlight: Tanya Schwab
For Tanya Schwab, prioritizing her Girl Scouts has been the hallmark of her 15 years as a dedicated volunteer. Tanya has been a volunteer since 2008, starting as a troop leader in Westmoreland County. She has been an associate cookie manager, associate service unit manager, and camp trainer. She first signed up to volunteer asContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Tanya Schwab”
Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Mooney
Leading Girl Scout strong in her first year as a volunteer, Jennifer Mooney loves givingback to her community! In her first year as a Girl Scout troop leader, Jennifer Mooney has found her passion incommunity service and leadership. “It’s been a whirlwind of a year,” she says. Located in Clearfield County, Jennifer leads a multi-levelContinue reading “Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Mooney”
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