(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Houston, August 18, 2003) Hundreds of local Girl Scouts from the San Jacinto Council will provide a very important service for the Toyota Center (downtown Houston-Polk and LaBranch); Saturday, August 23rd, from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m., Girl Scouts from counties all over southeast Texas will meet at Four Seasons Hotel at 1300 Lamar, and ride in buses provided by the Houston Rockets organization over to the Toyota Center. They will complete a special building safety course, and receive their flushing assignments around 1:15 p.m. (Photo Ops. Available at the Toyota Center starting at 1:30 p.m.)
Several new sports arenas, and stadiums across the country discovered the hard way, on opening game night, for instance, the need for each toilet to be test flushed prior to official opening activities.

Each Girl Scout participant will receive a commemorative t-shirt, and a boxed lunch. “This is more than just a test flushing event, it really is a part of Houston’s sports history,” says Cindy Walter, director of programs for the San Jacinto Council. “It really is a neat way for the girls to have fun as a troop or group while getting to see the new Toyota Center.”

Beginning in September 2003, Toyota Center will be home to the two-time NBA Champion Houston Rockets, four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets and one-time AHL champion Houston Aeros. Located in downtown Houston at the corner of Polk and LaBranch, within walking distance of the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park, the Toyota Center will have estimated seating capacities of 18,500 for basketball, 17,800 for hockey and 19,300 for concerts. The 775,000-square-foot multi-purpose arena will be owned by the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and operated by Clutch City Sports & Entertainment under the terms of a 30-year lease.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is the premiere organization for all girls—building character, values and skills for a lifetime. As the largest Girl Scout Council in Texas, San Jacinto serves more than 57,000 girls and 14,000 adults in 21 east and southeast Texas counties. For information about joining Girl Scouts, or about Community Outreach programs, call 1-800-392-4340 and ask for Membership. Visit us online at www.gssjc.org.

GSSJS Pluralism Statement
Embracing and promoting pluralism is an integral part of every activity and plan of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, not disconnected or separate projects. Only individuals willing to accept and be educated about the basic tenet that Girl Scouting is for all girls may serve in volunteer leadership or staff positions.

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council l Brand Management & Fund Development Department
3110 Southwest Freeway l Houston, TX 77098