Girl Scouts set to take buyers' cookie orders
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on January 8, 2006 2:04 AM
Girl Scouts have started taking orders for cookies.
The kickoff for the Coastal Carolina Council's cookie sale was Friday at Eastern Wayne Elementary School, with more than 300 girls and adult volunteers taking part in a bake-off contest featuring desserts made from recipes using the cookies.
Girl Scouts will take orders through Feb. 11 and then deliver them through mid-March.
The girls learn valuable life skills by participating in the cookie sale, said Lillie Thompson, the service unit manager who has been helping girls sell cookies for more than 28 years. Cookie sales teach the Scouts skills like goal-setting, money management and teamwork, Mrs. Thompson said.
"This is how girls learn to earn their own money for the things they want to do," she said. "Girls learn the meaning of hard work and commitment. Many parents cannot afford to pay for everything their children want to do, and this Girl Scout activity helps girls in troops and the local organization provide more opportunities to more girls every year."
This year, five of the eight varieties offered are trans fat free, said Deborah Brady, product sales coordinator.
"The bakers of Girl Scout cookies are making sure that the consumer is getting the best possible dietary value," she said. "While the Girl Scouts do not promote that cookies are a staple in your daily diet, this year's selection is the healthiest choice ever offered. When you treat yourself to something sweet why not help local girls build courage, confidence, character and connections and make their world a better place."
Another option available for those who would like to purchase cookies but don't want to eat them is to donate them to a local organization in a program called "Cookie Share."
The girls deliver cookies to a local charity of your choice in your name. The soup kitchen and the Salvation Army are just a couple of several charities on the local list. Ms. Brady said a man last year ordered 300 boxes to donate to the soup kitchen.
"This is the perfect way to help Girl Scouts and a local charity in need and to feel good about helping others," Ms. Brady said.
Ms. Brady said the girls have been very active in trying to help the Girl Scouts from four councils who were severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The service center at Baton Rouge, La., was leveled, she said.
All of the troops across the country are sending the girls items including handbooks and other necessities for scouting, care packages and boxes.
To purchase cookies, contact the Girl Scout Service Center at 734-6231 or e-mail dbrady@gscoastalnc.org.
Ms. Brady encouraged parents of local Scouts to allow their daughters to participate in the selling process.
"Your daughter will get far more out of the experience if she participates in the activity," she said.