Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois holds ribbon cutting for South Elgin Resource Center
The Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois opened a new resource center at 353 Randall Road in South Elgin with an official ribbon cutting ceremony July 31.
The center is one of several new and redesigned Girl Scout locations as the organization moves to be more visible in local communities and offer increased convenience for families and volunteers.
The event incorporated tours of the new center along with networking opportunities, refreshments, and ribbon cutting.
Attendees included state Sen. Cristina Castro, state Rep. Steve Andersson, state Rep. Anna Moeller, Elgin City Councilman Richard Dunne, Marc McLaughlin from the Village of South Elgin, Karla Jimenez from Elgin Hispanic Network, Carol Gieske, Francisco Jimenez, and others from the Elgin Chamber of Commerce, members of the Elgin Police Department, and representatives of several Elgin and South Elgin businesses.
Members of the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois's board of directors and Girl Scout members of Troops 587 and 1685 were also on hand for the festivities.
"At this modern, Girl Scout-branded location, our members and visitors will be able to visit the Girl Scout store, join or renew their membership, get their questions answered, book activities, and have meetings, while running errands in the neighborhood and managing their day efficiently," says CEO Fiona Cummings about the new center.
"We expect by being highly visible, relevant and accessible in the community, we can continue to serve girls and their families and grow our presence and membership."
Illinois state legislators Castro and Andersson also spoke at the event, with Castro noting, "This is a very open, welcoming space that allows girls to be girls. A lot of these girls are being inspired with dreams and goals. They can reach whatever stars they want to reach!"
Andersson, who has robust Girl Scout connections through his wife and daughter, referenced strong women in leadership such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, remarking, "What I'm always most focused on with the Girl Scouts is how they have always led by example. I'm very proud of what the Girl Scouts represent for all of us!"
The previous Elgin Service Center was dedicated to Jane Carter, the last CEO of the former Girl Scouts-Sybaquay Council and longtime Girl Scout champion.
Carter was able to attend the event and the plaque from the previous building will reside in the new center as part of a historical display.
The Girl Scouts-Sybaquay Council was one of four legacy councils that merged in 2009 to create the current Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Council.
The new center is dedicated to all the volunteers who give of their time, treasures, and talents to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
Carol Stolt and Scot Fairfield of FGM Architects in Oak Brook provided pro-bono conceptual designs for this and all new and redesigned locations.
Rebecca Phelan of Kayhan and Mallory Hoobler of AIS were instrumental in coordinating contributed furniture for many locations.
Extreme Remodeling also donated a generous part of their work on the center. Home Depot in Elgin and South Elgin generously provided many supplies free while Blain's Farm & Fleet in Elgin provided a Keurig coffee machine for visitors to the new center.
On Saturday, Aug. 11, the community is invited to an open house at the resource center.
For more information on all Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois locations, visit www.girlscoutsni.org.
Grand opening
What: Family-friendly grand opening featuring STEM activities for kids, fishing games, do-it-yourself coin banks, scavenger hunts, and climbing wall
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11
Where: Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois resource center, 353 Randall Road, South Elgin
Details: First 50 girls receive a free Girl Scout fun patch. Donations of nonperishable food items for Northern Illinois Food Bank will be accepted on site.
Contact: <a href="http://www.girlscoutsni.org">www.girlscoutsni.org</a>.