Girl Scouts receive United Way grant

Aiken County has been chosen to benefit from a grant given to the Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands.

The $130,280 grant from the United Way Association of South Carolina Commission for National and Community Service will fund 11 full-time AmeriCorps members/volunteers. It is renewable for two years and supports the council's initiative to extend current services to areas that need more specialized attention to be successful in the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program.

The 16 counties identified to benefit from the AmeriCorps members are Abbeville, Aiken, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg and Union.

Recruitment has begun for the 11 adult volunteers who will recruit troop volunteers and organize and lead the initial troop meetings.

Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands was selected in a national process after being recommended by the United Way Association of South Carolina.

Adults must be available to volunteer 40 hours per week and complete 1,700 hours of service by July 31, 2010. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance/stipend of $1,000 per month for up to 11 months of service, in addition to insurance, child care (if eligible) and a $4,725 education award issued at completion of service to assist in payment of student loans or tuition.

"We are very appreciative of the opportunity the AmeriCorps funding and volunteers provide us as we continually strive to present the best personal growth and leadership development experience possible to our girls," said Kim Hutzell, the president/CEO of Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands.

Those interested in receiving information on how to apply for one of the AmeriCorps positions can contact Denise A. Washington, the human resources director for the Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands, at (864) 770-1420 or at hradmin@gssc-mm.org.