It's about the girls- not the cookies

Every year, thousands of girls across the area gain valuable knowledge while providing the community with a special treat- Girl Scout cookies. This year will be no exception.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program, an integral part of Girl Scouting's Business and Economic Literacy initiative for girls ages 6- 17, provides finance, marketing, and public speaking skills, along with valuable experiences that build girls' self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style.

Locally, girls will begin to sell Girl Scout cookies on December 11th and end in late February. Girl Scouts are very proud to announce that all varieties of Girl Scout cookies are now "zero trans fat per serving," in compliance with FDA regulations. This change was made because, like most successful businesswomen, Girl Scouts listen to their customers.

Since 1917, the Girl Scout cookie activity has become a famous annual event that has helped girls develop important leadership skills they will use throughout their lives. Whether they are dreaming of becoming a doctor, teacher, businesswoman, or superstar athlete, the Girl Scout Cookie Program gives them the self-esteem they need to reach for the stars.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls manage inventory, set goals, learn money management, and develop marketing skills. Essentially, the girls run their own business. The entire troop sets a goal and follows a plan leading toward that goal. Girl Scout troops use funds from the cookie activity to fund a service project or to plan for an exciting trip. Many successful women have credited their business skills to the Girl Scout Cookie Program, making it the premier business and economic literacy program for girls in the United States.

"The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a valuable part of the Girl Scout experience. The skills girls gain truly help them develop into future business leaders," said Cheryl Legette, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia. "It is always exciting to see girls developing skills they might not realize they are developing while it is happening."

Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program also go to support programs for girls and training for volunteers across the area. All proceeds from the program stay local and directly benefit girls in their community.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls in unique ways. For example, this activity is a chance to build self-esteem. Ashy girl can get over her fear of approaching people by working at a booth with her fellow Girl Scouts or going door to door in her neighborhood with other girls from her troop. A girl who might feel she isn't good with numbers can build her confidence by keeping track of sales and learning to make change.

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has a membership of more than 3.8 million girls and adults. Now in its 95th year, GSUSA continues to help cultivate values, social conscience, and self-esteem in young girls, while also teaching them life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults. In Girl Scouting with its special, girlsonly environment, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. The Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia serves over 7,000 girls and adults in 25 counties. Girl Scouts is an agency of the United Way. To volunteer, join as a member, or make a donation, please call Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia (706) 548- 7297 or (770) 536-8656.