Girl Scouts accept cookie orders with booth sales set

The Girl Scout cookie sale was kicked off earlier than usual in Warren County as area Girl Scouts began taking orders Dec. 16 for the eight varieties of Girl Scout cookies. Girls ages 7 to 17 from throughout Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky will continue taking orders for the famous cookies until mid-January.

“The cookies are expected to arrive Feb. 8. Local Girl Scout troops will begin troop booth sales at stores in Warren County by mid-February, just in case you didn’t get to place your order earlier,” noted Susan Grandey, Cumberland Valley Girl Scouts.

Theme for the 2003 cookie sale is “Dream Big.” During the sale, girls are encouraged to set goals and develop team-building goals. Girl Scouting, now over 90 years old, gives girls the tools and confidence they need to achieve their goals – now and in the future.

“The girls enjoy the fun of the sale and learn skills that will be invaluable throughout their lives,” Grandey said. “As a troop, the girls learn to set and achieve personal goals, communication skills, business and math skills, how to handle money and develop good self esteem.”

Girls often receive their first practical education in finance, marketing and communications. The experience also teaches girls personal safety habits.

Through the cookie sale’s Gift of Caring program, girls continue the Girl Scout tradition of helping others through community service. The Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley ranks among the top councils in the nation in the number of cookie packages donated to area charities such as homeless shelters, homes for battered women and food banks.

This annual tradition helps raise funds that enable all girls to take part in Girl Scouting. All proceeds from the sale are used to provide services to more than 25,000 girls and 7,800 adult volunteers in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. Cookie sales built Cumberland Valley’s 10 campsites and pays for camp maintenance and improvements. The cookie sale also finances innovative programs for girls, funds troop activities, supplies crucial volunteer training and resources, and provides financial assistance to girls who cannot afford special Girl Scout programs.

Vicki Beaver serves as Warren County’s Girl Scout service unit manager and Rebekah Blake is service unit cookie manager. For more information about ordering cookies, call Blake at 815-8424. Beaver can be reached by phoning 473-8952.