Red Cross and Girl Scouts launch training for Together We Prepare patch program

by Tami De La Fuente

The Greater Houston Area Red Cross and Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council launched the “Together We Prepare” patch program February 29 at the Girl Scout Center.

The Together We Prepare Girl Scout patch program was jointly developed by the American National Red Cross and the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. Drawing on the strengths of both organizations, the program teams young girls with Red Cross preparedness experts to help Girl Scouts, their families, and their communities prepare for unpredictable events.

Earning patches is a Girl Scout tradition and a Together We Prepare Patch sewn onto a uniform’s sash demonstrates her participation in and knowledge of the pioneering Red Cross program.

The patch requirements are geared to four age levels in Girl Scouting: Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 6-8; Junior Girl Scouts, ages 8-11; Cadette Girl Scouts, ages 11-14; and Senior Girl Scouts, ages 14-17. Some requirements are specific, such as the requirements for “Volunteer” which consist of three hours of service for Brownie Girl Scouts, five hours of service for Junior Girl Scouts, and a minimum of eight hours helping a community preparedness project for teen Girl Scouts.

Life is full of unpredictable events and situations, but steps can be taken to prepare for them. The Together We Prepare patch includes five action steps: make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer, and give blood or monetary donations. Each step will help girls prepare for the unexpected, no matter its type, shape, or size.

Red Cross volunteers will teach Girl Scouts the basics of the five-step Together We Prepare program and other hands-on

Girl Scouts Whitney, Kelly, Melissa, Katie and Mia join Center Point Energy President, Thomas R. Standish, American Red Cross Russell Hubbard, Girl Scout CEO Mary Vitek at Houston City Hall to Kick off American Red Cross Month.

activities. For example, Girl Scouts learn how to “Build A Kit” by assembling the contents of a disaster kit, they may also learn about natural disaster preparedness and safety by using the disaster preparedness coloring book. Another activity involves fingerprinting. In addition, the “Get Trained” step will include first aid training such checking a conscious victim, controlling bleeding, and splinting.
To learn more about the Together We Prepare patch program, go to www.girlscouts.org or visit www.redcross.org.

GSSJC honors lifetime award recipients

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council honored its lifetime achievement award recipients at a reception Wednesday, February 4 at the Girl Scout Center.

Council President and Chair of the Board Cora Ann Blytas welcomed guests and introduced the recipients of one of the Council’s most prestigious awards: Dorothy Goodykoontz, Anne Moeller, Myra Stefek, Mary Lou Wilson, Jean Lieder, and Peggy Allison. Recipient Tisha Bell was not able to attend.

Guests were served refreshments while they caught up on old times and viewed the portraits of the award recipients now hanging permanently in the Girl Scout Center on the third floor.