Annual cookie program started Jan. 23

Girl Scout Cookies are definitely America’s favorite treat, but they are also so much more. Girl Scout Cookies make a difference in the lives of local girls and the community.

The purchase of Girl Scout Cookies supports local Girl Scout troop and council activities, where girls gain valuable skills and knowledge that build self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style.

Across the state, Girl Scout Cookies will be for sale from Saturday, January 23, to Sunday, February 14. Girls will take door-to-door orders and conduct Booth Sales at retail locations. Booth Sales run from Saturday, March 13, to Saturday, May 15. Girl Scout Cookies cost $3.50 per package, and all money raised supports girls in Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore, with a portion of the money going directly to the Girl Scout troop for activities, such as service projects or exciting trips.

When Girl Scouts participate in the annual cookie activity, they are part of the largest girl-led business in the country that generates more than $700 million for girls and communities nationwide. The cookie activity is a unique and valuable way to learn business skills, people skills, money smarts, ethics in action and financial goal setting. Girl Scouts also have the chance to participate in an online goal-setting club, where they set goals, track their progress and e-mail their family and friends to ask them to purchase. Girl Scouts have the option to secure orders with family and friends through social networking as well; however, Girl Scouts cannot collect money online for cookie purchases. Girl Scouts is credited by many businesswomen as the place they learned their early business skills through selling cookies.

The new cookie this year is the Thank U Berry Munch. Great with a cup of your favorite warm beverage, these hearty cookies contain cranberries and white fudge chips and help Girl Scouts show gratitude for their loyal cookie customers in the community. This year’s Girl Scout Cookie varieties will again contain zero grams of trans fat per serving. New this year, the Dulce de Leche, Lemon Chalet Creme, Thank U Berry Munch and Trefoil cookie varieties contain no hydrogenated oil. The eight cookie varieties this year are Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thank U Berry Munch, Thin Mints and Trefoils.

Making the world a better place is central to the Girl Scout mission. During the cookie activity, Girl Scouts will continue to honor the non-profit organizations, food banks, military and uniformed personnel who are so important to our community through Girl Scouts’ Gift of Caring program. Through this program, customers have the opportunity to purchase a package of cookies to donate to Girl Scouts’ heroes – a perfect solution for those who pass on the tempting treats! Girls learn about the invaluable work of their recipients by taking tours, learning about careers in public service and helping with community service projects.

Please call the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore service center nearest to you (Grand Rapids Service Center (616) 784-3341), or go to www.gsmists.org for more information about ordering cookies.

For more information on being part of the fun and friendship of Girl Scouting, call the service center nearest you, or visit the council Web site and click on “Join Us.”