Cookies for a cause

Eky Combs, left, orders cookies from a group of local Girl Scouts, including, from left, Kayton Harris, Heidi Shetley, Anna Beth Williams, Dakayla Duckworth, and Hadley Hilburn. Together these scouts have sold over 500 boxes of cookies so far. Photo provided

Girl Scouts from around the area are currently in the process of learning valuable business skills, as well as supporting their troops, as they embark on the annual fundraiser of selling Girl Scout Cookies.

According to troop leader Malinda Harris, local troops began selling cookies on Friday, Jan. 8, and will continue the fundraiser through the last week of January.

Cookies cost $4 per box and come in several favorite flavors, including Caramel Delights, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonade, and Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds.

"The flavors are all the same as what we had last year," Harris said.

Harris said the fundraiser not only teaches valuable lessons, but it helps the scouts with various projects and activities.

"We have reorganized our [district]," Harris said. "We have moved from the Cotton Boll Council, which was more of a local Southeast Missouri council, to the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, which is a much larger council. The proceeds will go towards the individual troops, as well as the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland.

"For most troops, this is their primary fund raiser," Harris said. "The majority of the troops just sell Girl Scout Cookies in order to raise money to pay for their activities and badges and trips that they may take."

Harris said there is approximately 11 troops in Kennett participating in the project, with several other troops around the area.

"Holcomb and Senath both have a real strong Girl Scout programs," Harris said. "There are a lot of neighboring communities that have troops as well."

According to the Girl Scout organization, many successful business women say they got their start selling Girl Scout Cookies. During the fundraiser, girls practice useful life skills like planning, decision-making, and customer service. During cookie activities, girls are members of a team working towards a common goal, with each girl striving to do her best.

Every local troop is encouraged to set realistic goals, such as planning field trips and community service projects, to accomplish during the year. The money earned from cookie activities helps the troop achieve its goals, according to GirlScouts,org.

All of the proceeds from a local council's cookie activities remains in the area where the cookies are sold. This revenue is used to benefit girls, some of it directly by remaining in the Girl Scout troop treasury and some of it indirectly by subsidizing the cost of providing the Girl Scout program in the local area.

According to GirlScouts.org, "cookie revenue" helps local councils:

Recruit and train volunteer leaders for each troop:

* Provide the financial assistance needed to make Girl Scouting available for all girls;

* Improve and maintain camp and other activity sites;

* Keep event/camp fees for all members to a minimum, and;

* Sponsor special events and projects.

Harris said cookie deliveries will begin in mid-February.

For more information or to satisfy your sweet tooth, contact a local Girl Scout today.