ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
They are almost as well known as the girls themselves ... Lemon Chalet Cremes, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Dulce de Leche, Sugar Free Chocolate Chip, Tagalongs, and Thin Mints. Once again it is Girl Scout cookie time.
The Girl Scouts on Andrews started taking orders for cookies Jan. 2. The actual cookies will arrive on base around Feb. 5, with booth sales beginning Feb. 27. But get your cookies while they last as cookie sales end on Mar. 28.
Chief Master Sgt. Seina Enwright, 89th Operations Group superintendent and Girl Scout service unit manager and Junior Girl Scout leader, says that Girl Scout cookies sales are so much more than just cookies. "All the troops learn about budgeting, setting a goal and trying to reach it and then if they don't, readdressing the goal they set," said Chief Enwright. "The younger girls learn about making change and learning how to use good manners and so on. Our older girls learn about entrepreneurship." Chief Enwright said, "One girl scout leader and her daughter sell cookies to friends out of the back of their car."
Girl Scouts, between kindergarten and 12th grade, are currently selling cookies in the housing areas with the money raised going toward scouting trips and activities. "Each troop decides what they would like to do with the money," said Chief Enwright. "Different troops do different things. The Senior troop will use the funds for a trip to New York City. Many of the other troops will go camping, to museums in the local area and other excursions. All troops pay for the awards, or the badges, that the girls earn as well." Girl Scout cookies cost $3.50 a box and the troop makes $.60 off every box sold.
"If you don't eat cookies you can still make a donation to the Gift of Caring-Hometown Heroes program," said Chief Enwright. "As community service is a big part of the cookie program, the girls give their cookies to homeless shelters, deployed troops, the USO or any other deserving organization in their hometown or where the girls' passions lie."
"Last year one of our Brownie troop leaders and her girls sent cookies to troops deployed [overseas]," said Chief Enwright. "The girls received thank you letters from the troops and the girls were very excited to read them. It's a great program so consider giving a donation or even buying a box for a shut-in neighbor--everyone loves Girl Scout cookies."
And as for the best-sellers? "Thin Mints and Samoas are cookie favorites," said Chief Enwright.