Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s (GSCM) Camp Whippoorwill, the oldest among the Girl Scout Council’s four camp properties—received a facelift with support from IKEA. The international home furnishings retailer came through with $10,000 via the IKEA Life Improvement contest which awards grants to non profit organizations with financial need. The IKEA Life Improvement contest solicits online votes in support of a local non-profit organization. Thanks to the support and votes of GSCM Facebook fans, Girl Scout’s Camp Whippoorwill was one of three organizations selected as finalists. The camp was the site of a ribbon cutting ceremony with IKEA and GSCM executives, on September 21 at 10 am.
The award was used to spruce up the camp’s Big House, a highly popular cabin on the camp. The kitchen was redesigned and outfitted with new flooring, appliances and cabinetry; the “lounge” area received new sofas, bookcases, lamps, tables, rugs and other accessories. The improvements make the Big House more functional and inviting. “Camp properties require a good deal of maintenance and upkeep,” commented Traci Barnett, GSCM CEO. “We work very hard to ensure that each camp property is not only safe, but conducive to girls having an enjoyable time while at camp.” Barnett added, “The Life Improvement Project award has definitely upgraded the conditions in the Big House and we are very grateful to have benefitted from their commitment to the community.”
The commitment of business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the local community and society at large,” is how Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions describes corporate responsibility. The IKEA business model and community commitment reflect this ethic. In addition to the generous Life Improvement Project award, IKEA, like Mary Kraft, will be supporting GSCM’s STEM programs particularly those that focus on green design and sustainability. According to Steve Howard, Chief Sustainability Officer with the IKEA Group, “It’s about taking care of people and the planet; you can see evidence of this work through innovative IKEA products and solutions, and through the way we do business.”
