Girl Scouts of Indiana wrapped up their annual cookie sale at the end of March, and because of the support of the Indiana County community, girls will be able to power their Girl Scout adventures for another year.
“I would like to thank all those in the community that supported us,” said Michelle Phillips, 16, of Girl Scout Troop 40816. “One thing that stands out for me is when one of my new customers heard that I was only a few boxes from reaching my goal. She ordered additional boxes allowing me to reach 1,000 boxes sold!”
Rena Shotts, who also sold more than 1,000 boxes of cookies and is also a member of Girl Scout Troop 40816, says that during this year’s cookie program, she worked on her people skills and gained more confidence.
“To reach my goal, I called my previous customers and worked with my troop to find a new booth location,” Shotts said. “I would like to thank everyone in our community for their support, not just for my troop, but for all the Girl Scouts. Talking with so many different people at booths showed me that I am not alone, and if I should need something, I have an entire community of people that I can get support from.”
The support from the local community was evident at a recent bingo night hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary in Indiana. The American Legion invited local Scouts to attend and help with the event.
Proceeds from the bingo event purchased cookies to send to U.S. military active duty women and men, overseas and at home, as well as local veterans’ organizations through Operation: Sweet Appreciation (OSA), GSWPA’s donation initiative.
The initiative was created to help girls and their cookie customers express their gratitude for the service of these women and men. In 2018, cookie customers donated more than 50,000 boxes of cookies to OSA just in western Pennsylvania. Customers can donate by visiting gswpa.org/military through May 27.
