The Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey held their grand re-opening, ribbon cutting and rededication ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at their newly renovated Cherry Hill Service Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. There was no shortage of girls, volunteers, Girl Scout families and supporters checking out the new Girl Scout space.
The official Ribbon Cutting was kicked off with opening remarks and flag ceremony led by Janine Grigonis, an eighth grade Cadette Girl Scout. The Girl Scout councils’ Chief Mission Officer, Kimberly Bryson, welcomed everyone and introduced the Mayor of Cherry Hill Chuck Cahn. Cahn showed his support and gave remarks about the importance of Girl Scouting in Cherry Hill.
Next, Ivy Brown Rovner, Chief of Staff for State Senator James Beach presented the Senate Resolution. Girl Scout CEO, Ginny Marino, spoke about the newly renovated building by saying, “This building is not just bricks and concrete, but the hub of innovative ideas, and center of inspiration to girls, volunteers and supporters in our council area. To us, “building” is not just a noun, it is a verb — the most important action word of our mission: building girls of courage, confidence, and character. Every day, from this new building, we continue to build too.”
Arthur Campbell, president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, shared kind remarks and led the Girl Scout leadership, board members, Girl Scouts and Mayor Cahn in cutting the ribbon in honor of the renovated service center.
At noon, eleven Girl Scouts conducted a candle lighting rededication ceremony. Nila Payne, a Cadette Girl Scout led the ceremony, stating the purpose of the event. “Today, we celebrate with a rededication ceremony, allowing us the opportunity to renew our commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.” Each Girl Scout spoke while the candles were lit and then extinguished. Finally, a special stained glass window tradition was shared; the window has been in the Girl Scout family since 1964. To close the event, GSCSNJ offered office tours and a Girl Scout cookie and hot chocolate bar.
