Girl Scout Troop Donates Cookie Sales to CALM & Supports Child Abuse Prevention

The Troop of young girls chose CALM to be the recipient of their “Giving Goal” (extra cookie revenue), and they sold Girl Scout Cookies in front of CALM’s offices at the beginning of March to raise funds for CALM’s important child abuse prevention and treatment programs in Santa Barbara County.

On Tuesday, April 16, the 22 Roosevelt Elementary second grade girls were proud to present CALM with a check for $500 that will be used for a new projector at CALM’s offices, in addition to $500 worth of gifts that will be used by CALM’s “Whatever It Takes” home visitors. During their visit, the young philanthropists met with Anita Fernandez-Low, CALM’s Director of Community-Based Services, and learned about play therapy and Parent-Child Interactive Therapy, all modalities that CALM therapists use on a daily basis.

The Scouts selected CALM to be the recipient of their Giving Goal after they listened to presentations by three local non-profits, including one by CALM’s Development Director, Lori Lander Goodman. The young ladies’ altruism has earned them a Girl Scout Giving Back Badge for having reached their goal.

“Learning about CALM had a great impact on the young girls, and they have a clear picture of who they are trying to help through their cookie sales,” said Troop Leader Mona McMillan. “The girls are so proud to be supporting CALM’s mission, they even painted a mural telling the cookie selling story and how the money will be used to help children in the community.”

CALM was founded in 1970 to reach stressed parents before they hurt their children. CALM continues to be the only non-profit agency in Santa Barbara County focusing solely on preventing, assessing, and treating child abuse and family violence through comprehensive, cutting-edge programs. CALM offers children, families, and adults a safe, non-judgmental, caring, and strength-based environment to heal and increase family well being. For more information about all of CALM’s services, please call 805-965-2376, or visit http://www.calm4kids.org.