The first ever "girl scout" Campaign!

Headquartered in the state of Vermont is a smashing SUCCESS!!

Chandelle Trahan, Girl Scout Troop leader from Essex Junction traveled to Lebanon with the MLI Donor Delegation the week of December 1 - 8th!! The highlight for Chandelle was meeting (Champlain), of course. This beautiful dog is strong and loves to work. Quiet and calm he is diligent and enthusiastic. If you look at the Donor Trip photo's you'll see Chandelle pictured in full Mine Action Gear, the same that the deminers and handers wear in the field. Chandelle loved the food, our military escorts but most of all....she loved meeting (Champlain).

June 2008 - Jennifer Mignano, Girl Scout Troop Leader from Williston, VT, along with daughter (and Girl Scout) Maria, traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the MLI Donor Delegation for a fun-filled week with the Mine Detection Dog Center (MDDC) Staff! Shopping in the Turkish Market, traveling to the ancient city of Mostar, and to the minefields of Bosnia, their week was full of new and exciting adventures. The highlight of the week was meeting Anita, the young landmine survivor whom they helped with CHAMPS International. Because of the Girl Scouts Anita has a new leg, and a new lease on life. The tear-filled and emotionally charged all walked away feeling great about the new program.

I’ve some exciting news…It is with a great amount of pride that I share with all of you that the 14th CHAMPS Dog has been funded!!  The CHAMPS – Vermont – Girl Scouts Campaign, a group of 20 little 4th and 5th grade girls and two very energetic and enthusiastic Troop Leaders, launched their campaign officially just this last April. < You can read a wonderful news article published in the local newspaper here >

These determined ladies had to get approval from the Vermont Girl Scout Council and began planning, and then working with Rotary Clubs, Historical Societies, Lions Clubs, and many other community organizations to make this Vermont dog a true Community Dog.  The group decided to name their dog Champlain and while we’re not sure when he/she will begin training, we know it will be very soon. 

I also wanted to let all of you know that the Girl Scouts raised the first $15,000 and our CHAMPS Patron, Mrs. Joan Wismer, gave them their final $5,000 making their campaign a huge success.  You’ll all remember that Joan has helped the Campaigns that sponsored Granite, Arizona, and South Hadley be successful too by helping them finish their campaigns!

Many of you have already been sending Joan little notes or cards.  Just in case some of you don’t have her address it’s:

Joan Wismer

12400 Magnolia Blvd.

Valley Village, CA 91607

The Girl Scouts are still planning several more CHAMPS Fundraisers this school year to support a mine victim in the CHAMPS International Program!  

Please join me in congratulating Jennifer Mignano, whose daughter Maria brought CHAMPS to the Williston and Essex Junction Girl Scout Troops!!!

Jennifer’s e-mail is:   jenn.mig@verizon.net

The girls from the Williston Troop in Vermont are teaming together in true scout form with the troop from Essex Junction (town next to Williston) as a joint venture!!

For those of you who want to know just how this successful campaign was started, here's the scoop...

Basically, Jennifer Mignano, troop leader of the Williston Girl Scout Troop is the CHAMPS Mom & Troop Leader who contacted us about running the FIRST EVER CHAMPS Campaign to be run by Girl Scouts!!!  All the girls are in 4th and 5th grade and attend the Williston Central School.

The CHAMPS Team traveled to Williston, Vermont to “Officially” kick-off the new Campaign on April 4-6th!!!  They visited  the local High school, the Williston Central School, the Williston Rotary Club, and then the Hiawatha School in Essex Junction, Vermont. 

: A past message from CHAMPS Director Kimberly McCasland...

The Girl Scouts of Williston and Essex Junction have been busy and have already raised an incredible $8,100 since their Campaign began in April!!

With the strong leadership of both Jennifer Mignano (Troop Leader for Williston), and Chandelle Trahan (Troop Leader for Essex Junction) the kids have been up to some really cool stuff.

CHAMPS Director Kimberly McCasland, CHAMPS Assistant Rachel McCasland and Utsi have just returned from a 5-day trip to beautiful Vermont to help with a Car/Dog Wash and to participate in 3 days of AKC Dog Shows that were held in Essex Junction.
Both events were a huge success with the troops raising over $1,100 over the long weekend.

Here's a list of some of the community organizations that have been working with them, making this dog they plan to name Champlain a real "community dog"!

1. PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER - Pot Luck dinner last October, and will be doing a fundraiser at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company this coming November.

2. WILLISTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Gave proceeds of annual Ice Cream Social to their campaign, totaled $1,000.

3. WILLISTON ROTARY CLUB - Heard CHAMPS Director's presentation and gave $300 to kick the campaign off.

4. VFW - Essex Junction, will hold a cookout with silent auction on September 21 and a bingo night before Christmas.

5. LIONS CLUBS - $1,00 donation to start, and plan on on-going fundraising support.

6. LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME FESTIVAL - Donating table at festival for 3 days and helping with silent auction.

7. ESSEX JUNCTION FIREHOUSE - Running two car/dog washes for them.

8. LOCAL SCHOOLS and the PTO GROUPS.

And, while I'm inclined to say "GIRL POWER!!!" I have to tell you that the Dad's and brothers, Uncles and Grandfathers of the girls are all pitching in. This is an wonderful example of how everyone is taking ownership of this Campaign to help sponsor their dog Champlain.

The plan was to have their dog sponsored by Christmas and guess what... they did it with time to spare!!