Knoxville, Tennessee (April 11, 2008): Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council took home the top “Best of Show” award from the Public Relations Society of America’s Volunteer Chapter for 2008 – making a total of six awards earned.

Awards were given at the April 10, 2008, PRSA awards banquet held at The Foundry for exemplifying excellence in the industry of public relations in the greater East Tennessee region.
Tanasi Council received the top Best of Show for its “Reading Rocks!” Public Service Campaign. The council saw a 50 percent increase in public book donations, totaling 10,000 new books that went straight to children during the holidays.

Other awards include:

• PRSA First Place Award of Excellence for Public Service: Reading Rocks! 2007.

• PRSA Second Place Award of Quality: 2006/2007 Annual Report “Courage. Confidence. Character.”

• PRSA Second Place Award of Quality for Special Event: “Dolly Parton Becomes a Girl Scout: Now She’s One of Us.”

• PRSA Award of Merit/Non-Profit: Growing Strong magazine

• PRSA Award of Merit: Web Site www.tanasi.org

“This recognition shows that we are greatly elevating the image of Girl Scouting from public relations, targeted promotional materials and communications," says Mary Leidig, chief marketing officer for Tanasi Council. "It is wonderful to have PRSA recognize our communications and marketing team for its work. We are in the company of some wonderful organizations. Most of all, these awards are for our 10,000 Girl Scouts who give back to our greater community in service.”

Public relations professionals from South Carolina judged the entries on research, planning, objective, execution, results and effective use of budget.

PRSA is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals.

About Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council….
Girls Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc. is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves 10,000 girls in 16 East Tennessee counties. More than 3,000 volunteers work with Tanasi. Additionally, hundreds of girls enjoy summer outdoor living every year at Camp Tanasi on 450 acres on Norris Lake.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s largest organization dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success in the real world. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts’ membership has grown from 18 members in Savannah, Georgia, to nearly four million members throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and in more than 80 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Callahan

Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc.

1600 Breda Drive

Knoxville, TN 37918

(865) 688-9440

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