Recognized for their affinity for green, whether it’s the green Girl Scout uniform or their environmental programs, Girl Scout alumnae and supporters in southeast Louisiana are organizing two Centennial fundraisers being held Saturday, June 23, in New Orleans, whose “green” proceeds will benefit the local Girl Scout council.

A FOREver Green 9-Hole Golf Tournament is being held at the Stonebridge Golf Club of New Orleans, 1500 Stonebridge Drive in Gretna, with tee-time at 9 a.m., and that evening, the Girl Scouts Louisiana East’s Centennial Gala, Rhapsody in Green, will be held from 8-11 p.m. at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 2 Poydras St., with a patron party at 7 p.m.

“Girl Scouts turned 100 in March this year, but we’re celebrating all year long,” said Betsy Stoner, gala volunteer chair at Girl Scouts Louisiana East. “Our two June 23 fundraisers are stand-alone events, although some supporters will golf in the morning, and then join their spouses for the gala that evening.”

Cost of a twosome for the FOREver Green golf tournament is $120, and includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, bounce back round of golf, food, prizes and beer/drinks. Sponsors include MillerLite and CoorsLight, and additional hole and tournament sponsors are needed.

“Tournament tickets make a great Father’s Day gift and benefit a great cause,” said Stoner.

According to Stoner, guests at the Rhapsody in Green gala will enjoy an evening of live music, dancing, a silent auction, food, open bar and much more.  Music will be Gina Brown and Anutha Level, and the gala’s Mistress of Ceremonies is Nancy Parker, anchor at Fox 8 News and a proud Girl Scout alumna.

“Girl Scouts is near and dear to my heart, and leadership development of girls is more important today than ever,” said Parker, who grew up in Girl Scouts in Alabama, where she was a top Cookie seller.

Gala sponsors include Whitney Bank, AT&T, Valero, Fox 8, Clear Channel, Total Graphics & Printing, and additional sponsors and silent auction items are needed. Silent auction items include Disney World tickets, JetBlue airline tickets, autographed Hornets items, LSU items, Terrence Osborne painting and prints, and much more. Gala patrons and benefactors will enjoy the music by Tim Laughlin Trio during the patron party that precedes the gala.

“We’re encouraging Girl Scout alumnae to re-connect with other alumnae by making the gala a mini-reunion, as we celebrate our Movement’s Centennial,” said Stoner, who is a New Orleans native and Girl Scout alumna.

Gala tickets are $100 each, with a special price of two tickets for $150 if purchased by May 31, and two tickets for $175 after May 31. Gala tickets are available for purchase online at www.gsle.org, or in the council headquarters, 841 S. Clearview Parkway, in Jefferson.  The Hilton is offering a discounted hotel room rate of $139, and which can be reserved by calling the Hilton at 504-584-3959 and asking for the Girl Scouts Rhapsody in Green block.

Contact Development Associate Cerise McClendon at Girl Scouts Louisiana East at 504-355-5875 or cmmclendon@gsle.org for additional information, sponsorship packages, or volunteer opportunities

for either of the June 23rd fundraisers.

Girl Scouting’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The local council, Girl Scouts Louisiana East, serves girls 5 to 17 in 23 parishes of southeast Louisiana. For more information about Girl Scouts, call the council at 800-644-7571, or visit its website at www.gsle.org.