Girl Scouts begin 90th year of cookie sales

Since 1917 Girl Scouts have been selling cookies as a way to earn money to fund community service projects and program activities. A lot has changed since the days of homeb a k e d S h o r t b r e a d cookies, but the Girl Scout tradition of building character, community service and adventure remain the same.

Girl Scouts throughout northwest Florida began taking orders for America's favorite cookies on January 19. The annual Cookie Sale continues through March 17. This year's varieties include Thin Mints, Carmel deLites, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Reduced Fat Cartwheels, Thanks-A-Lots and Lemonades. Lemonades are this year's new addition - a savory slice of shortbread with a tangy lemon icing. Each box sells for $3.50. All Girl Scout Cookies are made with no artificial preservatives, no trans fats, and they are kosher.

Another new aspect of this

year's Cookie

Sale is the

Y o u n g - B u s i n e s s -

Owner- i n -

T r a i n i n g

program for

girls in grades

7-12. This

program offers girls the opportunity to operate as a sole proprietorship or in partnership with another girl, and is d e s i g n e d to help girls go b e y o n d the tradit i o n a l sales program by preparing and delivering sales presentations to local businesses in their community. With this program the girls not only reach new markets but also develop their communication and management skills. A unique variety pack featuring all eight flavors is an ideal customer courtesy or employee appreciation gift.

Also included in this year's Cookie Sale is the popular Treats for Troops program. This campaign was developed with the help of Congressman Jeff Miller in 2003 to show support for our local military personnel stationed overseas. Throughout the weekend of March 9-11, Girl Scout Cookies will be available at Cordova

Mall in Pensacola.

Cookies purchased

for military

personnel

will be s h i p p e d

overseas by

local UPS

Stores at no

cost to the

customer.

Cookie delivery and booth sales

begin March 2. All proceeds from the Cookie Sale remain in the local community to support Girl Scout programs.