GSWPA Annual Report 2017-18 | Page 9

The power of the Girl Scout Cookie ... The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest, girl-led entrepreneurial development program in the world. The experience not only equips our next generation of leaders with essential business skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, but the program also allows Girl Scouts as young as kindergarten to serve their communities, participate in empowering life experiences, and grow their confidence. Erie County Troop 36002 saved their product sales proceeds to fund a whitewater rafting trip. Achieving the dream — cookies create adventure Erie County Cadette Troop 36002 set a goal of 1,000 boxes of cookies last year to help fund an excursion to Ohiopyle to hike, sleep in tents, and go whitewater rafting—an activity that had been on their Girl Scout bucket list for several years. Since that time, the troop saved proceeds from magazine, nuts, and cookie sales, and thanks to the support of their families, friends, and community, their trip was fully funded. And even though they spent two rainy nights in tents, this group of girls took on a new adventure that they’ll never forget. Finding her strength Beka Ferris is now a second-year Daisy in Allegheny County, and her mom, Jennifer, says that before Girl Scouts Beka was shy, reserved, and easily intimidated. Because of the support of her troop and the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Jennifer watches in amazement as her daughter tackles new opportunities in Girl Scouts and beyond. After her first year of Girl Scouts, Beka gained the courage to approach all her teachers—on her own—to ask for their support in the cookie program. Additionally, last year in Beka’s gymnastics class, she showed no interest in learning to climb to the top of the rope like the others. This year? She tried over and over again until one night Beka told her mom, “I am climbing to the top tonight.” Then, she did, and she felt completely proud. Supporting others Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie Troop 21970 hosted a blanket and cookie drive at their local library. The girls set a goal to collect 50 blankets to donate to Children and Youth Services of Clarion County and SAFE of Clarion County, which is a domestic violence shelter. The troop tripled their goal by collecting 150 blankets, and additionally, they collected over 100 boxes of cookies for donation. Troop 21970 chose this project because the girls wanted to help other kids feel secure and warm and to give them a special, sweet treat. The Girl Scout Cookie Program and Troop 52745 in Allegheny County have helped Beka grow and find her strengths. 50,517 boxes of cookies were donated last year in just western Pennsylvania to GSWPA’s Operation: Sweet Appreciation (OSA). OSA is an initiative that sends Girl Scout Cookies to military men and women who are serving overseas and to local veterans’ organizations. 9