By Ida Brown
ibrown@themeridianstar.com
Whether it's face-to-face or by way of Facebook, now is the time to place your Girl Scout Cookie order.
Girl Scouts are currently taking cookie orders going door-to-door, by telephone and even by using the social networks Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.
"The girls can inform their family and friends about the cookie sale and take orders using these social networks," said Linda Lauderdale, membership and marketing manager, Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi. "However, they can't collect money online for cookie purchases."
The eight cookie varieties this year are Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils and the new Thank U Berry Munch, a hearty cookie containing cranberries, white fudge chips and crispy rice in a shortbread base. The varieties will again contain 0 grams of trans fat per serving, and new this year, the Dulce de Leche, Lemon Chalet Crème, Trefoil and Thank U Berry Munch cookie varieties contain no hydrogenated oil.
Cookies will be delivered beginning Feb. 13. Booth sales at local retail locations will run from Feb. 19-March 7.
Whichever variety you choose, you'll find more than just cookies inside the box. One of America’s favorite treats, Girl Scout Cookies make a difference in the lives of local girls and the community.
The purchase of Girl Scout Cookies supports local Girl Scout troop and council activities, where girls gain valuable skills and knowledge that build self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style. Girl Scout troops use funds earned through the cookie activity to fund service projects, field trips and other troop activities that are planned and executed by the girls.
Proceeds from the cookie sale also support council-wide program opportunities for girls, the maintenance of camps, the recruiting and training of volunteers across the area and help to provide financial assistance for girls to attend camp and other Girl Scout activities. That’s a lot for a $3.25 investment.
Making the world a better place is central to the Girl Scout mission. Girl Scout troops also use the cookie activity to honor and support non-profit organizations, food banks and military and uniformed personnel throughout the community. Through the Girl Scouts’ Gift of Caring and Hometown Heroes programs customers have the opportunity to purchase a package of cookies to donate to local charities, military personnel or local fire and law enforcement personnel. All Gift of Caring and Hometown Heroes purchases are tax deductible.
“The Girl Scout experience, as a whole, is unique, and the cookie program is an integral part of educating girls to be tomorrow’s leaders. It teaches them the value of community service, through the Gift of Caring program and troop service projects, and it teaches them key business and communication skills,” said Lauderdale.
“Essentially, the girls run their own business. The entire troop sets a goal and creates an action plan to achieve that goal.”
When Girl Scouts participate in the annual cookie activity, they are part of the largest girl-led business in the country, generating more than $700 million for girls and communities nationwide. The cookie activity is a unique and valuable way for girls to learn business skills, people skills, teamwork, money smarts, business ethics and financial goal setting. Many of today’s successful women have credited their early business skills to this program, making it the premier business and economic literacy training program for girls in the United States.
In addition to using technology to promote their cookie business and secure orders, Girl Scouts also have the chance to participate in an online goal-setting club, where they record their goals and track their progress.
