You buy and eat them because they taste good:  Tagalongs, Samoas, Thin Mints and all those other Girl Scout Cookies. Local troops sell them to earn money to teach the girls skills relating to goal setting, decision making, money management, business ethics and people skills.

 

“With the money they earn, each troop decides how they want to use it,” said Heather Starkey Bartlett, leader of Troop #31548 of Clarksburg. “They usually use it for some type of community service project. Older girls could use it toward the bronze, silver or gold award they work on and we also pick something the girls want to do for fun after all the hard work.”

 

Troop #31558 of Shinnston utilizes cookie sales proceeds to buy patches and supplies and fund educational trips and community service work.

 

“With our cookie proceeds last year, we made ‘Blessing Bags’ for the Clarksburg Mission and Hope, Inc. (Task Force on Domestic Violence). These were personal hygiene bags for men, women and children,” said Troop Leader Lynn Vance. “We also made feminine hygiene bags and donated them to the Community Care Center at Lincoln Middle and High School for girls who can use them in an emergency.”

 

Local troops are taking orders for cookies through Feb. 4.  In addition to those mentioned above, varieties also include Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, Do Si Dos, S’mores and Toffee Tastic. The latter two varieties sell for $5 per box; all the others selling for $4 per box.

 

Cookies will arrive by the end of February. Throughout the month of March, local scouts will be set up at the Meadowbrook Mall and other spots selling cookies. Find booths near you by visiting the BDGSC Web site HERE and click "Find Cookies."

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above/cover are members of Bridgeport Girl Scout Troop #5344 selling cookies last year.