For more than a decade, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s (GSSC’s) Holiday Light Show has become a family holiday tradition for many. The show raises funds for vital Girl Scout programs and outreach services, and provides for campground sustainability. More than 8,000 young women are now able to participate in Girl Scouts because of the show.

We, as Girl Scouts, believe in our hearts that an event run by Girl Scouts, for the benefit of Girl Scouts, has every right to be held on property owned by Girl Scouts.

As with all our programs and events, safety is always a top priority. The logistics of the show have been designed in consultation with experts and professionals from the police, fire and emergency services, as well as those specializing in electrical safety, security and traffic management.

Sadly, there are those spreading misinformation, engaging in rhetoric rife with exaggeration and hyperbole, and disparaging the hard work and reputations of Girl Scout volunteers, board members, and staff.

We always look for ways to improve the light show experience for all. In 2014, we opened the show for only 10 days, about one-third of its usual length, and moved to a choose-your-own-time online ticketing system. Traffic management professionals and Suffolk County Police COPE units were onsite every night of the show.

We hope you will support Girl Scouts of Suffolk County in continuing to host its light show at Camp Edey, which has been a Girl Scout property for more than 70 years. With your help, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of thousands of young women.