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A Legacy of Love

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. has been blessed with many dedicated and loyal friends who have made significant contributions to the Girl Scout movement. Recently, we lost one of those very special people - Ken Ligare. Ken truly left a legacy of love for Girl Scouts.

Ken's enthusiastic support of Girl Scouts began after he and Carol were married. Carol grew up in Minneapolis and recalls her mother hosting many Girl Scout troop meetings at their home. Carol joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie, was a fifth grade troop leader in Northfield, MN, as a sophomore at Carleton College, and went on to become one of the first Cadette Troop leaders in Appleton. A Thanks Badge recipient, Carol served as manager of the Appleton Service Unit and was a member of the Board of Directors for nine years. Their daughter, Kathleen, grew up as a Girl Scout, too.

"Kate was an avid Chalk Hills camper, and one of Ken's favorite Girl Scout activities was 'work weekends' at Chalk Hills," Carol said. "He looked forward to helping put in the pier each spring and preparing the camp for summer programs."

"Ken really thought highly of the Girl Scouts organization, both locally and on a national and international level," Carol added. "He also saw the satisfaction Kate and I received from our Girl Scout experiences."

Carol fondly recalled one of their many memorable Girl Scout experiences: Ken and I were members of a committee to select a patrol of six senior Girl Scouts to attend an international Girl Scout camp in Norway in 1973. We were traveling by car that summer in Norway. It was Ken's determination to locate this unmarked camp. Ken loved challenges, and I'm a 'map nut,' and it's truly amazing that we found the camp! One Senior Girl Scout from Clintonville was observing her 17th birthday on the day we arrived at camp; the 4th of July. Ken gave her a "birthday kiss"; four other girls quickly followed suit and lined up for a kiss from Ken! (The sixth patrol member told me that following autumn how embarrassed she was about choosing not to be kissed.)

In 1996, Ken and Carol made a legacy gift by naming Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. in their will and became members of the Juliette Gordon Low Society. Through their JGL membership, Ken and Carol will be a part of Girl Scouts forever.

In addition to Girl Scouts, Ken was involved in many other community activities. He was an active member at All Saints Episcopal Church for 55 years. He was also a member of Appleton Rotary West, where he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship; The Fox Cities Housing Partnership, and since 1955 had been a leader for several Boy Scout troops. He volunteered as a trail guide for school children at Mosquito Hill Nature Center near New London and enjoyed photography and crafting beautiful wooden bowls on his wood lathe. The outdoors always held special meaning for Ken, and he loved to canoe, hike, and spend time in the mountains of North America west. Ken will also be well remembered for his involvement with the youth hockey program at Jones Park in Appleton. For many years he coached, mentored and befriended many young boys who turned to hockey at the park as a safe and fun way to spend their free time.

Thank You Ken and Carol Ligare for your significant support of Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc.

Ethel's Yurt Village expanded to Camp Winnecomac

Local Girl Scouts and their families will soon be able to experience "life in a yurt", thanks to a $50,000 donation from the John J. and Ethel D. Keller Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc.

Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. will use the gift to expand Ethel's Yurt Village to Camp Winnecomac in Kaukauna. A heated shower house is also being constructed at the day camp, which will allow Girl Scouts to use the yurts throughout the winter. The building will also serve as a storm shelter during the day camp sessions.

The yurt is a modern adaptation of the ancient shelter used by Central Asian nomads for centuries. Though generally classified as a tent, the yurt is much stronger and weather tight. Yurts have minimal impact on the surrounding soils and, though durable, can be removed without a trace.

In 2005, Ethel's Yurt Village was constructed at Camp Birch Trails resident camp in Irma (north of Wausau). Funding for the project was also provided by the John J. and Ethel D. Keller Fund through the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. Ethel's Yurt Village at Camp Birch Trails consists of five yurts with stoves, housing 40 girls and staff. The innovative village has proved to be tremendously popular the past three camp seasons!

"We are thrilled with the expansion of Ethel's Yurt Village locally to Camp Winnecomac," said Fran Raley, CEO for Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. "We are dedicated to keeping our important outdoor education programs cutting-edge, both valuable and attainable to all girls. Jack and Ethel's generosity yet again has helped make this mission a reality."

The late John J. "Jack" and Ethel Keller have generously supported Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. for more than a decade -- through their donor advised fund at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. and the J.J. Keller Foundation.
Jack and Ethel have literally touched thousands of Girl Scouts through their generosity. Some of the projects the Kellers have supported include:

• Funded Volunteer Center and Outdoor Learning Courtyard at Girl Scout's Program Center
• Supported Annual Giving Campaign
• Funded Ethel's Yurt Village at Camp Birch Trails and Camp Winnecomac
• Funded a shower house and camp upgrades at Camp Winnecomac
• Purchased two John Deere Gators for use at resident and day camp
• Purchased Girl Scout Cookies for Wisconsin veterans
• Provided sponsorship for Campout Gala!
• Provided lead gift for GameOn! - collaborative outreach program sponsored by Girl Scouts of the Fox River Area, Inc. and the Bay-Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Supported Juliette Gordon Low Society