It's Girl Scout cookie season, and whether you're loyal to Thin Mints, Tagalongs or Samoas, chances are you look forward to their annual arrival as much as the rest of us.
And who deserves to chow down Cookie Monster-style more than our American heroes? Turns out, concerned citizens can send baked treats to troops, via the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida's (GSSEF) Cookies for the Military program.
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The program kicked off in 2009, and since then, more than 116,000 boxes of cookies have been sent overseas.
"Many troops have done their own collection programs for years. We formalized the program in 2009 so that individual troops didn't have to collect the boxes and coordinate with agencies. It also allowed us to promote a single program council wide and better support the girls efforts," says Melinda Glasco of GSSEF.
Our local scouts teamed up with Forgotten Soldiers and America's Moms for Soldiers to add cookies to care packages. Other items often sent include hand sanitizer, Chapstick, baby wipes, magazines, baby powder and lotion, toothpaste and non-perishable snacks, according to Glasco.
"Girl Scout Cookies are really an iconic brand and evoke many warm memories. When soldiers open their care packages and see Girl Scout cookies, it gives them that taste of home that they miss when their so far away. We've heard that cookies are in the top five of items they want to receive," Glasco adds.
Their goal for this year? 37,500 boxes. Last year, they sent 35,551 -- 20% more than the year before. Donations can be made online or that local booths if you spot 'em. The cookie sale runs from January 24 through February 17, and boxes are $4 each or $48 per case. That's a sweet way to say thanks.
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