Marcia Sohl made her first gift to Girls Inc. when you attended her first Celebration Luncheon last March.  She was so impressed with the girls and the generous people who support them.  This summer, Marcia joined Sue Seiter, director of development, for a tour of Girls Inc. and a chance to meet the girls in their MicroSociety business ventures.  Marcia agreed to share her thoughts after the visit:  "So many things impressed me ... the ability of the girls to stand tall and proud, speak clearly and with interest.  The age of the kids running the bank.  Why, I know women who, when widowed, have no idea of even how to write a check...  Girls Inc. just glows with good times, great ideas and the joyful spirit of young women who truly are becoming Strong, Smart and Bold. "

After her visit, Marcia made a second gift to Girls Inc. and became a member of our new Growing Great Girls Circle, which celebrates individuals who make annual, cumulative gifts of $1,000 and more.  Marcia knows first hand that her gift will help a little girl grow into a confident, independent young woman.

Would you like to visit Girls Inc. and see for yourself the difference one person can make in the life of a little girl?  Please contact Sue Seiter at sue@girlsincsrq.org to schedule a time to visit.  If you'd like to join Marcia in supporting Girls Inc., please click here or call Sue at 941-366-6646, ext. 227.

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Where are they now? 

Alumni News

The year was 2002.  Courtney Snedeker,  a junior at Booker High School, dreamed of going to college.  Her low income family had no experience with  college searches, applications or  scholarships.  Courtney's counselor referred her to Educational Talent Search, a program of Girls Inc.  With an ETS coach by her side,  Courtney applied to and was accepted at the University of South Florida, with scholarships to cover tuition and books.  During her senior year, Courtney met Girls Inc. volunteer Pam Mader.  Pam stepped up and helped Courtney with unfunded college expenses and a 10-year friendship began.  Courtney graduated from USF in 2009 with a degree in finance and a 3.2 GPA - all while working 50 hours a week at Publix.  Pam Mader was her mentor and cheerleader but Courtney calls her "my fairy godmother."  Pam thinks of Courtney as my "other daughter."  So, what's next for Courtney Snedeker Giordano?  On September 1, Courtney and her husband left for NYC where he will start a new job with the federal government and Courtney will pursue a long-awaited career in banking. 

Would you like to mentor a Girls Inc. girl?  This could be your story - and hers.  Contact Kay Mathers, Director of Community Relations, at kay@girlsincsrq.org to learn more about making a difference in the life of a girl.