Friday, Feb. 27, marked the beginning of Girl Scout cookie booth sales. Girl Scouts will be seen around town with tables full of Thin Mints and Samoas. 2015 marks the 98th anniversary of Girl Scout Cookies. In 1917 girls in Savannah, Ga., began selling cookies to finance their troop activities. The tradition continues nationally with proceeds from cookie sales benefitting individual girls, their troops, their community, the Alaska Council, and Girl Scouts USA.

Besides raising funds for Girl Scouts and their activities, cookie sales actively work to promote financial literacy among Girl Scouts.  Girls are asked to participate in training which helps them understand business, marketing, financial planning, long and short-term goals, and philanthropy.  Sales also encourage girls to actively engage in the Three Cs of Girl Scouting — courage, confidence and character — by asking them to be courteous, knowledgeable, and responsible sales people in the community.

When you see your local Girl Scouts standing beside a table full of delicious Girl Scout cookies, remember that for $5 dollars you are not just taking home a box of sweet goodness, you’re also helping to train up tomorrow’s leaders.

Billeen Carlson