Spire and Girl Scouts Trail Restoration Project

^{_{Pictured, from left, are Kathleen Dabrowski, Director of Girl Development - Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Jessica Willingham and Bonnie Barczykowski}}
 

Spire joined the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for a groundbreaking event for a 2.5-mile trail restoration project at Camp Fiddlecreek in Labadie, Missouri. 

The trail project, which is being funded through a multi-year Spire Serves grant, begins this month and is expected to be completed by April. It will offer a variety of experiences for scouts of all skill levels, including an ADA-accessible trail that will be easily navigable by explorers.

"We're so proud to be part of this project for the community, supporting our girls," said Jessica Willingham, Spire's senior vice president, chief communications and marketing officer. Jessica also sits on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. 
“I’m a lifelong Girl Scout, and I know having opportunities to have adventures, be outside and be connected to the planet is part of who I am," Jessica added. "The Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character—that’s what it’s all about."

As part of our ongoing commitment, there will be opportunities available so employees have the opportunity to volunteer with the trail maintenance program, helping to ensure the sustainability of these trails for girls long into the future.

"We are excited to break ground on this restoration project because it gives girls of all abilities an opportunity to enjoy the trail," said Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. "The outdoors has been part of the Girl Scouts for more than 100 years, and this gives girls an opportunity to get out here, enjoy the environment and see all that there is. We are grateful to Spire for their generous support." 

Jill Pace, director of talent development at Spire, leads her daughter's Girl Scout troop out of St. Stephen Promartyr Catholic School in St. Louis. The troop participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, while also getting to spend some time using the camp's rock-climbing wall, taste testing new Girl Scout cookies, speaking with women leaders like Jessica and Bonnie.

Since 1956, Camp Fiddlecreek, located in eastern Franklin County, Missouri, has provided educational and recreational opportunities for Girl Scouts of all all ages. 

 ^{Jessica talks to guests during the groundbreaking ceremony.}