NEW YORK--Girl Scouts of the USA has launched its first national online fundraising initiative. The three-year "Commit To A Girl" campaign features a new Web site, www.CommitToAGirl.org, which provides information on the challenges girls face nationwide and opportunities to support the organization's work in every zip code across the United States.

"Girl Scouting helps three million girls develop confidence, real-life skills and the sense of citizenship needed to become the nation's leaders," says Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "There are still many more girls who could benefit from our flexible, inclusive program, including girls struggling with tough issues such as peer pressure, low self-esteem, addiction and even violence. It's never been more important to commit to girls, and the online campaign makes it simple to connect, to give back, and make an impact on girls' lives today."

Why Girls Need Girl Scouts
Research suggests that girls feel many pressures. Girls are beginning to drink at younger ages, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and in the last two decades their arrest rates have increased faster than arrest rates for juvenile males, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In a study by the Girl Scout Research Institute in 2003, girls' top concerns were being teased or made fun of, and nearly half the teens polled in this study consider speaking and participating in class a threat.

Girl Scouting supports girls and their families with a proven program. Sixty-four percent of today's women leaders in the United States were Girl Scouts, and 82 percent of high-achieving Girl Scout alumnae believe the organization influenced their success, according to research conducted in 1999 by Louis Harris & Associates. Today Girl Scouting reaches girls in communities and schools nationwide as well as girls in foster care, girls whose mothers are behind bars, and girls in juvenile detention. More than 50 million women have been Girl Scouts.

How to Commit To A Girl
Visitors to www.CommitToAGirl.org can choose to give to a specific local Girl Scout council or directly to Girls Scouts of the USA. They also can create their own "Commit To A Girl" page that can be customized to honor a loved one, contact old friends, celebrate a birthday, sign up a book club, reach out to coworkers or classmates, or even host a virtual fundraising party. To learn more, log on to www.CommitToAGirl.org

Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent organization for girls, and has more than 3.8 million girl and adult members. Now in its 92nd year, Girl Scouting cultivates values, social conscience and self-esteem in girls while teaching them the critical life skills to succeed as adults. In Girl Scouting, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. The organization strives to serve girls from every corner of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. To volunteer your time or make a donation, call 1-800-GSUSA4U or log on to www.CommitToAGirl.org.

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U or visit www.girlscouts.org.

More from Girl Scouts of the USA