As a mom, I hadn’t really given Girl Scouts much thought until my nine-year-old daughter was invited to join troop that included most of her friends. I had no idea my daughter would get so much out of the organization, it’s much more than just campfire campouts and cookie sales.
Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place, and I’ve been so impressed so far in how much she has been able to grow through the troop activities.
The 2021 cookie season kicks off January 18 and runs through February 28. While many of us buy cookies annually, because we vaguely know it’s supporting girls in our communities (and they’re delicious, duh), I had no idea just how impactful those little boxes of cookies can be, especially this year during COVID.
Last cookie season, 10,937 Arizona Girl Scouts (1,159 troops total) were able to finish their cookie season before the onset for COVID-19, selling a total of 3,029,190 boxes of cookies. These funds not only stay local, but many of the dollars these girl cookie bosses raise are used for programs or supplies throughout the year, summer camp, and are often used in girl-led service projects that give back to the community.
Given COVID-19, many of the girls were not able to redeem their individual program rewards they worked for – like a celebration at Hurricane Harbor, a trip to NYC, and other special troop outings. Many troops also had to suspend their meetings, choose another beneficiary of their cookie donations, or were unable to work towards their original service projects. Instead of holding the funds for something else, many troops used their money to make an impact on the community.
Here are just a few of the many examples of service projects completed by Girl Scouts throughout the East Valley.
Chandler
- Chandler Brownie Troop 3811 was no longer able to celebrate the success of their cookie season in person or work towards their original service project, so the girls banded together to braid 100+ doggie/kitty pull toys at home that they donated to the AZ Humane Society. The materials were purchased online with cookie funds and distributed via no-contact pick up.
Gilbert
- Due to COVID-19, Gilbert Troop 2210 was no longer able to work towards their original service project. The girls quickly came up with a new plan to create birthday bags to be passed out to residents on their birthdays at senior assisted living centers in Gilbert and Mesa. They used $500 of cookie funds to create 20 gift stuffed gift baskets for the residents.
- With COVID-19 putting a halt on being able to work towards their original service project and not being able to meet in person, Glendale Troop 7143 decided to make dog toys and purchase blankets, beds, peanut butter and cherries to donate to an animal shelter with cookie proceeds in addition to making an $100 cash donation.
Queen Creek
- After COVID-19 hit, a Queen Creek Troop quickly re-worked their original service project to create handwashing stations for the Navajo Reservation up north. The troop used $150 from cookie funds and another $450 in kind donations to collect large laundry soap containers, paper towels, hand soap, hand sanitizer and non-perishable foods for the Navajo Reservation.
These are incredible stories of how children truly can impact the community, and how a few cookies can support the community as well, especially during a pandemic. The Girl Scouts is made up of so many amazing girls, and after I’m even more thankful for our tiny troop that my daughter is part of—and we’ll be ready to sell cookies starting today to raise funds to impact not only these girls, but the local community as well.
So as you are approached by a Girl Scout trying to sell cookies, remember the hard work and dedication they put in all year round, and maybe purchase a box or two. I know our family will be up to our ears in cookies this year.
