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Girl Scout cookie program starts

| January 17, 2013

COLUMBUS – “What Can a Girl Do?”  That’s the theme of the Girl Scout Cookie Program and it reminds girls they have the power to do anything with the lifetime of skills and confidence they gain through Girl Scouting.

Troops in Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council began selling eight varieties of delicious Girl Scout cookies beginning Sunday, Jan. 13. Girls will take orders throughout this month and sell cookies at cookie booths from March to Sunday, April 7, when the program ends. Cookie types available this year include: Thin Mints, Samoas, Savannah Smiles, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche and Thank You Berry Munch.

For the first time since 1999, all boxes of Girl Scout Cookies have a new look and a new purpose: To elevate the significance of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, a $790-million girl-led business. The iconic Girl Scout Cookie package showcases the five financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills that the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls, skills that will last them a lifetime: Goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

Hundreds of girls shared their excitement for the Cookie Program at two council-sponsored Cookie Rallies Saturday, Jan. 12. Then on Friday, Feb. 8, Girl Scouts everywhere will revel in National Girl Scout Cookie Day – a day designed to celebrate the Girl Scout Cookie Program – the largest girl-led business in the world – and the five life skills the program helps girls develop.

Customers will have the power to find nearby cookie booths with help from the Official Girl Scouts of USA Cookie Locator app again this year. The free app helps iPhone and Android users locate cookie booths throughout the council’s 30 counties. The app also offers cookie sale data from around the country, including the start and end of local cookie seasons to specific locations of sales, plus interactive features.

With every cookie purchase, more than half of the proceeds stay in the local Girl Scout council to help provide resources needed to support Girl Scouting within Ohio’s Heartland Council. Another portion goes directly to the Girl Scout troop. An additional portion also goes directly to the baker to pay for the cookies. The council does not donate money to any other organization.

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the premier leadership development program for all girls from kindergarten through grade 12. The mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Through activities in science and technology, business and economic literacy and outdoor and environmental awareness, Girl Scouting provides girls with opportunities for fun and friendship, while fostering the development of leadership skills and self-esteem.

In 2012, the Girl Scouts observed their 100th anniversary. Any girl may join Girl Scouts at anytime during the year and at anytime from kindergarten through grade 12.

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council, headquartered in Columbus, serves more than 31,000 girls and more than 9,000 adult members and volunteers in 30 counties: Adams, Ashland, Coshocton, Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Union, Vinton, Wayne and Wyandot.

For information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-621-7042 or visit www.gsoh.org.

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Article contributed to The Beacon.