Girl Scout Troop Leader Lisa Andrus was named by Intel Corporation as its top volunteer donor of the year. Wow! How does she do it? After talking with Lisa, we think you’ll agree that her work with Girl Scouts has been a labor of love.

GSHCC: How long have you been a Girl Scout and volunteer? Why is it important to you?

Lisa: “My mother was a Girl Scout leader and was very active in our local council back east, so I feel like I’ve always been a Girl Scout. Officially though, I started as a Brownie and continued until I was a Cadette, when my family moved away at the end of 8th grade. I got involved again to lead my twin daughters’ Daisy troop, 10 years ago, and we continue to be an active Senior troop today. All told, I’ve been involved in the Girl Scout organization for a little over 16 years.

Like most moms, I want my daughters to grow up to be strong, well-rounded young women with the ability to pursue whatever passions they may have. At the same time, I want them to be kind and considerate human beings with a hunger to explore and appreciate all life has to offer.

“I feel Girl Scouts has played an integral part of helping me lay this foundation for them. It’s helped teach them valuable life lessons and has exposed them to things I don’t think many girls who don’t participate in Girl Scouts are. From a vast array of community service activities, to backpacking in the Sierras, to participating in cookie sales: they have all contained multiple teachable moments that I believe has contributed to who they are today and will continue to shape them well into the future.”

GSHCC: How did you end up being Intel’s top volunteer donor for GSHCC this year? How many hours did you log?

Lisa: “To be honest, I’m not sure how I became the top volunteer. It was as much a surprise to me as anyone. My troop has always been very active, participating in a number of community service activities, as well as fun events throughout the year. Now that the girls are older, there are a lot more things they want to do and we’re able to venture out a bit more. Last year we were especially active with backpacking certification, followed by camping trips to Tahoe, a weekend trip to Oregon and a number of Friday night events. I logged over 279 hours.”

GSHCC: How long have you participated in your employer’s matching gift program? How did you set up the match with your company?

Lisa: “I’ve been involved with the Intel Involved Matching Grant Program since 2010. This is a global program that recognizes and encourages Intel employees to engage in volunteer activities and community service around the world. The Intel Foundation awards cash grants to qualified schools and community organizations based on volunteer hours reported by Intel employees. To report hours is as simple as browsing to a website, searching for your target non-profit and submitting your hours. For those organizations not already listed, employees have the ability to nominate additional ones by submitting some required information for review and approval. The program has done a wonderful job making it extremely easy for employees (to participate).”

We’re so thankful for Lisa’s involvement in Girl Scouting and her commitment to the development of the girls in her troop. And it’s an added bonus that her employer recognized her commitment by making a contribution to GSHCC. Those contributions go a long way toward developing new programs–including expanded STEAM programming, providing scholarships for girls in need, improving camp properties and reducing costs for activities council-wide.

Does your employer have a matching program? If you are a GSHCC volunteer or donor (or both!), you may be eligible to participate in a program sponsored by your employer. Check with your human resources department to see if your company offers a matching gift program today. For more information or to notify us of a new employer matching gift program, contact development@girlscoutshcc.org