Girl Scouts celebrate successful Cookie Program

Thin Mints, Samoas, and Trefoils, oh my! The thought of these tasty treats makes me smile, and each year it makes thousands of local Girl Scouts happy.  For that reason, on behalf of the girls, we would like to thank all of our customers, volunteers, and those businesses that supported Girl Scouts of the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley during our 2007 Cookie Program. When you support these girls with the Cookie Program, you’re truly helping to build women of courage, confidence, and character.

More than 13,300 girls in our council sold an estimated collective total of 1.6 million packages of cookies. That includes more than 3,600 girls who participated in the Gift of Caring Community Service Program, through which customers were asked to purchase cookies to be donated to charities. More than 8,600 packages were delivered via the Gift of Caring to such organizations as Neighborhood House, the children’s cancer unit at Regions Hospital, and Operation Minnesota Nice, which sent packages to Minnesota troops serving in Iraq.  

Whether enjoyed in the comfort of your own home or across the globe, Girl Scout cookies have endured the test of time.  Leading the pack were the perennial favorites Thin Mints and Samoas, which made up more than 50 percent of all Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley’s cookie sales this year. 

A stalwart tradition since 1917, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has grown and evolved since girls first made cookies and sold them in their school cafeteria. Today, girls are building life-long business and leadership skills too! Girls develop courage as they go door to door selling cookies in their community. They gain confidence as they learn business and customer service skills. Lastly, they build character as they follow through with orders and deliver cookies to customers on time with a smile. Again, this year, nearly $1 million in cookie proceeds goes directly back to local troops/groups—to attend camp, participate in some of the 200 programs we offer, take cultural or educational trips, even abroad, and continue leading valuable community service projects. Proceeds also support local council-wide girl programs, events, resources, training, camp facilities, grants, and scholarships.

One thing is certain; with your support Girl Scouts continues to build strong women.  I hope you had the privilege of meeting one of these amazing young women during this year’s Cookie Program.