Think first! When hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and other disasters strike, a Girl Scout’s first thought is, “How can I help?” It’s important to have a thoughtful plan so that you can give people what they really need during a stressful and scary time. People often immediately send clothing and cans of food to disaster areas. They want to help, but all that stuff may not be what people need—and relief workers say that it often gets in the way of what they’re trying to do.

Act Like a Philanthropist

If you decide to raise money on behalf of impacted councils, you’re acting like a philanthropist! A philanthropist makes sure people have what they need by giving their own money or raising money from others. If you want to learn how to be a philanthropist by donating money, follow these steps:

1. A philanthropist always knows why money is needed and can communicate the need to others. So before you start raising funds for one of the impacted Girl Scout councils, imagine a girl your age who lives in an area where the disaster hit. Maybe your family no longer has a home…maybe your Girl Scout group has no place to meet right now…maybe the camp you love has been damaged. What would that feel like?
2. Read newspaper articles or watch television reports about the impacted areas. Why do people need help—have they lost homes, power, heat?

If you live in the affected area but are lucky enough to be okay, check in with people you know in your community or follow the local news to find out how you can offer more hands-on help. For example:

• A school may put out the word that they need backpacks filled with school supplies.
• A faith-based organization may let the community know that they need people to serve hot meals.
• A shelter may ask for donations of blankets or warm clothing.

3. Check out ForGirls.GirlScouts.org and girlscouts.org. What is the Girl Scouting mission? How does Girl Scouting encourage a sense of sisterhood? Now check out the websites of the Girl Scout councils. Why is it important to you to raise money to benefit Girl Scouting in those areas?

4. Now think about how you can tell this story when you fundraise. Why is it important for people to help Girl Scouting continue in the impacted areas? Get started on your story by completing the sentences below.

Girl Scouting matters to girls like me because…

Because of Hurricane Sandy, some of our Girl Scout councils need help to…

5. Finally, brainstorm ways to thank people who donate money. Philanthropists always do that too!

2.    Educate And Prepare Yourself And Others For Disasters–Think ahead and be ready!

Leaders always try to think ahead—and it’s important to be ready before a disaster strikes! Guess what? When you prepare ahead and educate others to do the same, you are contributing to the country’s emergency-response system. So, harness your energy post–disaster to do what you can in your region.

You and your family can make a plan for stockpiling emergency supplies, communicating with one another if you’re separated, and how and when to evacuate if necessary.

You can develop and lead workshops to help other families prepare, or create a booklet or video to share information with a wider audience.

You can find out how your community has already prepared—and where there are worries. Does a shelter need a stockpile of hygiene kits to hand out when there’s a disaster? Does a hospital or nursery school need assistance with evacuation identification cards? Does a school need volunteers to practice safety drills with younger students?

Get Involved!