On May 7 and June 11, 2023, Girl Scouts who sold at least 500 boxes of cookies this past cookie season got to celebrate their hard work on the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Cookie Cruise.
Over 1,250 Girl Scouts were able to attend the Cookie Cruise. Girl Scouts had three boats for both days, and each boat had multiple dance floors with a DJ. The DJs kept the enthusiasm high as Girl Scouts danced with their family and friends from across the council the entire time.
To sell 500 boxes of cookies is an incredible accomplishment. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scouts can sell cookies door-to-door, online, at cookie booths, or by reaching out to friends and family.
“My favorite part about selling Girl Scout Cookies is seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they buy them,” said Girl Scout Emeliya from Troop 75677.
Through the cookie program, Girl Scouts also create goals to provide new experiences for themselves and their troop.
“We had four Girl Scouts whose goal was to get on the Cookie Cruise, and all four Girl Scouts reached their goal and were able to attend. One girl was about 200 boxes short of her 500 goal, and during our last booth sale, all the girls worked together to make sure she reached her cookie goal. It was so amazing seeing them work together,” said troop leader Kristina of Troop 75924.
When Girl Scouts participate in the cookie program, they do much more than help their customers stock up on delicious treats — they learn how to run their own cookie business! The cookie program gives Girl Scouts all the tools they need to sharpen their skills in goal setting, decision making, money management, interacting with customers, and business ethics, to set themselves up for success today and in the future.
“So often girls are taught about being a princess or a diva, and while those things are fun, there is so much more that Girl Scouts offers. I wanted my girls to be well-rounded in their experiences and develop their leadership skills through Girl Scouts,” Kristina added.
Although the 2023 cookie season is over, the skills learned will continue to last and strengthen throughout a Girl Scout’s life. From being a leader at Girl Scout camp to going into her first interview with confidence, courage, and character, each cookie box sold opens limitless possibilities.
P.s. The 2024 Fall Product Program will return in just a few more months, where Girl Scouts can continue strengthening these essential skills! More information is coming soon.
Click here to view the May 7, 2023, Cookie Cruise photos.
Click here to view the June 11, 2023, Cookie Cruise photos.
December 8 is National Brownie Day, and we have the perfect brownie recipe for you! Take your brownies to the next level by making Girl Scout S’mores® Brownies. These brownies are a combination of, you guessed it, Girl Scout S’mores® cookies and your favorite brownie mix – coming together to create the most divine chocolatey goodness your taste buds have ever feasted upon!
Now please keep in mind that Girl Scouts GCNWI is not a professional cooking blog, and this recipe may need a little tweaking given how many cookies you have available, the brownie mix you have, etc., but the best part is that they are made with love!
Get the recipe below and enjoy baking these delicious Girl Scout S’mores® Brownies. Share with us how yours turn out!
Ingredients
This recipe will make approximately 12 large or 24 small Girl Scout S’mores® Brownies.
Bottom Layer
2 boxes of Girl Scout S’mores® Cookies
1 stick of unsalted butter
Brownie Layer
1 box of your favorite brownie mix, follow instructions on box
¼ cup of vegetable oil
½ cup of water
1 Egg
Top Layer:
1 bag of mini marshmallows
Optional: Girl Scout S’mores®
Optional: Hot fudge
Other Supplies
2-3 large mixing bowls
Rolling pin
Zip-loc gallon bag
Spatula
Cookie scooper
Muffin tin
Baking cups
Directions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line your muffin tin with baking cups.
Step 2: Prepare the crust. Combine both packages of Girl Scout S’mores® in a gallon size zip-loc bag. Use a rolling pin to break the cookies into crumbs. You can also use a food processor. Once cookies are crushed into crumbs, transfer into a medium mixing bowl. Place 1 stick of butter in a microwave safe mixing bowl and melt in the microwave, stir every 15 seconds. Add melted butter to cookie crumbs and mix thoroughly.
Step 3: Depending on the size of your muffin tin, place ½- 1 scoop of crumb and butter mixture to each baking cup. Flatten the mixture so it creates an even layer.
Step 4: Prepare the brownie mix as directed on the brownie mix box.
Step 5: Add the brownie mix on top of the cookie crust and allow mix to settle.
Step 6: Bake for 30 – 45 minutes, depending on the size of your brownies.
Step 7: Once out of the oven top with 3 mini marshmallows.
Step 8:(Optional) Add a Girl Scout S’mores® cookie on top of the marshmallows. Drizzle hot fudge over the brownies once cooled.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is thrilled to bring the Cookie Rally back as an in-person event at the Allstate Arena on January 7, 2023. GSGCNWI’s Cookie Rally is for Girl Scouts of all ages and their families to have some fun while preparing to #GoBrightAhead into everyone’s favorite program, the cookie program!
Doors will open only for Girl Scout Cookie Rally attendees at 3 p.m. There will be many family-friendly activities and photo ops, including:
Dunk your favorite Girl Scout Staff Member with our Dunk Tank
Family-friendly carnival games
Meet the Cookie CEOs
Get a sneak peek of new Programs in STEM, Arts, and Outdoors
Get your photo taken at the Action Photo Booth
Have a pair of ice skates? Open skate will be from 3-5 p.m. Attendees must bring their own skates if they want to go onto the ice. Skate rental will not be available.
At 5 p.m., the Cookie Rally will take the ice to discuss all things cookie-related and tips on how to finish out phase 1 of the cookie program with a bang, and get ready to reach their goals in phase 2.
At 7 p.m., GSGCNWI will drop the puck and host the color guard presentation to kick off the hockey game and cheer on the Chicago Wolves!
Purchasing a ticket to our 2023 Cookie Rally includes entrance to the cookie rally, a commemorative T-shirt, a Chicago Wolves game ticket, and a Rally Patch for the Girl Scout. Tickets are $22 until December 4. Starting December 5, ticket prices will increase to $24.
Girl Scouts have been selling calendars in the fall since the 1940’s. The calendars that were sold had themes for the different years and came in wall size and pocket size. As more people move away from the use of paper calendars and use calendars on their phones or tablets the need for paper calendars has decreased. To give girls and their troops another way to earn money Girl Scouts started selling candy and nut items and QSP magazines subscriptions.
Girl Scouts have used two companies to supply the items for their Fall Product Program sales: Ashdon Farms and Trophy Nut, which is in its 30th year working with Girl Scout councils as a GSUSA approved supplier.
The sale is held in the fall just in time for the holiday season. Each year, there is a Girl Scout inspired tin and a winter scene/seasonal tin which many people collect, or gift, these tins are filled with candy or nuts. The tins make great keepsakes. The Girl Scout tins are perfect to use for setting up Girl Scout displays in libraries and other events, or as a place to keep your Girl Scout Memorabilia.
Some examples of GS inspired tins are camping tins, such as a GS wicker backpack tin, a GS camera,
and a GS metal tote bag for going places.
In 2017, Ashdon Farms offered a replica tin with 1920’s camping scenes on the tin. There were tins shaped like Girl Scout books, a flowerpot from Ashdon Farms labeled “Helping Girls Grow,” and even tins shaped like Girl Scout uniforms of the past.
For three consecutive years, there were tins that had different versions of the Girl Scout promise, each one from years when the Girl Scout promise was changed. In 2008, Trophy Nut had a tin labeled “Make New Friends.”
Tins were also issued for special anniversary years in Girl Scouts. For the new millennium in 2000 the tin was “Girl Scouts: Where Girls Grow Strong.” In 2005, Trophy Nut had a tin of Juliette Gordon Lowe’s Birthplace, a National Historic Landmark and the headquarters for Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia. For the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts, Trophy Nut had a green, round tin labeled 1912-2012.
Collectible Girl Scout tins were also available from some of the Girl Scout Cookie Bakers: ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers. They were made in anniversary years. Little Brownie Bakers had a Cookie tin containing an assortment of Girl Scout cookies for the 75th anniversary of Girl Scouts. In the year 2000, ABC Bakers had a cookie tin for the New Millennium 2000.
As the fall product season is quickly approaching, keep your eyes out for the Fall Product order forms to see what new tins will be available and place your order. The candy and nut products make great gifts, and nuts and candies are very delicious.
Girl Scouts can do incredible things, especially when they have the drive to do good and make the world a better place with ingenious and creative solutions. Girl Scout Senior Madison is one of these awesome Girl Scouts! Madison shared her story of developing the ThinMints4ThickSocks initiative, aimed at providing support and comfort to community members struggling with homelessness.
Read on to learn more about Madison’s story and her community service efforts, in her own words, and learn how Girl Scout Cookies do good for communities and more!
My Girl Scout origin story started when I was in pre-K. I frequently saw my sister, who is 8 years older than me, leave to go to Girl Scouts. I wanted to be a Girl Scout so desperately, I would often sit in the same room to watch their meeting.
Eventually, I was able to [be] a Daisy and it was the best day ever. I got to do cookie sales, meet new friends, do community service, and spend time with my peers at Girl Scouts. I’m continuing my Girl Scout journey in my freshman year of high school. Girl Scouts has been an enriching experience, providing me with an opportunity to fulfill my full potential in life.
According to several news articles and reports, socks aren’t frequently donated to homeless shelters and are often in high demand. ThinMints4Thicksocks is an initiative that I created to provide socks to the homeless by allowing the public to donate a new pack of tube socks in exchange for a box of Girl Scout Cookies. Rather than buying a box for five dollars, people bought a box by donating a pack of new socks. We then donated all the socks we collected and gave them to homeless shelters.
I created this project because the pandemic presented a challenge for the 2021 cookie season. Because I couldn’t conduct business as usual, I decided to think outside of the box and create a way to combine this cookie season with a charitable drive, assisting people impacted by the pandemic and driven to homelessness.
ThinMints4Thicksocks directly provided socks to the homeless, which aren’t in adequate supply in some homeless shelters locally and across the nation. I was motivated to pursue this project because I realized the positive benefit it would have in the community in helping disadvantaged people, like the residents of Chicago’s UCAN facility, which is social service agency serving over 10,000 individuals annually through compassionate healing, education, and empowerment.
By raising awareness of the shortage of socks, I believe ThinMints4ThickSocks will continue even after I’ve finished working on the project, by inspiring others to continue donating socks, and other much needed items, (like thermal underclothes, toiletry items, etc.). My plan was to plant a seed and my hope is that it will provide an abundant crop of caring.
I wish others knew about how Girl Scouts is preparing me, and other girls, to assume leadership roles in our future endeavors. Girl Scouting gives me a sense of responsibility and community. Girl Scouts is not just about selling cookies, or community service projects. Many of my closest friends are Girl Scouts. We’ve maintained our friendships through mutual respect, trust, and honesty, which are all promoted in Girl Scouting.
Thank you to Madison!
Learn About Cookies
Welcome to the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps your girl succeed today and prepare for future success. With every box she sells, she builds on 5 essential leadership skills she can use for a lifetime.
Participating in the cookie program powers Girl Scouts’ adventures throughout the year as they learn key business skills to excel in future careers and in life. By participating in different sales methods, girls gain more skills, including: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.
Stay up-to-date with 2022’s Cookie Program when you register to be a Girl Scout! Join today!
What an amazing Girl Scout cookie season for all our Girl Scouts and our new Cookie CEOs!
Whether they were running a cookie business for the first time or already seasoned cookie entrepreneurs, Girl Scouts from Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) did an awesome job! During this unprecedented year, GCNWI Girl Scouts worked hard to reach their cookie goals and gave more than ever to our Gift of Caring program.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program supports all girls in achieving their goals, big or small, that they set for themselves and with their troop, from community service projects to program activities. Girl Scouts in our council sold over 2.8 million packages of Girl Scout Cookies. Their efforts proved (like this year’s Cookie Program theme) that no matter what comes their way, “We’ve Got This!”
Say hello to this year’s Cookie CEOs!
Meet the CEOs
We are shining a spotlight on the top Cookie CEOs in our council! Each of these Girl Scouts applies the “five Girl Scout skills” for a lifetime of leadership (Goal Setting, Decision Making, People Skills, Money Management and Business Ethics) when it comes to their cookie business. With the support of their parents, their troops, and all the Girl Scout cookie supporters, they each had personal goals, using different strategies to achieve them!
Their efforts not only enhanced skills that will last a lifetime, but helped their troops earn proceeds for activities like camp and GCNWI programs, and to fund community service projects!
And the Cookie CEOs are:
Giada G. – Troop 20073 – 7th grade – 22,006 packages Bristol S. – Troop 75466 – 3rd grade – 21,557 packages Giuliana G – Troop 25727 – 3rd grade – 11,000 packages Anne N. – Troop 60303 – 7th grade – 6,838 packages Bella C. – Troop 51414 – 8th grade – 6,462 packages
Check out last year’s Cookie CEOs as they share some of their cookie wisdom!
Want to Participate in Next Year’s Cookie Season? Renew or Join Girl Scouts today!
At Girl Scouts, she’ll practice making the world a better place by doing community service projects, coding, exploring the outdoors, and so much more. And when you sign up with her now, you’ll be covered for the rest of this membership year AND the next, plus she’ll get a free Kellogg’s Wellbeing Box!
You know how delicious our cookies are, but did you know just how much good they do? Fun fact: the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. The Girl Scout Cookie Program prepares girls in Chicago and Northwest Indiana with the business smarts they need to take on the world!
When you purchase a box of cookies, you are providing amazing experiences for girls in our community, like opportunities in STEM, outdoor programming, entrepreneurship, travel, and more! The skills they learn while participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program will prepare them for a lifetime of leadership. But there is more you can do in addition to purchasing a box of your favorite cookies!
Ways You Can Help
As with most businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our way of work including our cookie program. We need your help now more than ever to ensure that every cookie lover has something to enjoy!
Purchase or donate cookies at GSCookiesNow.com, or ask a Girl Scout you know for a link to her virtual cookie booth.
Ask others you know to help support the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Even if someone lives out of our council they can donate or purchase cookies to be shipped!
Tell your friends, family, neighbor, employer, and coworkers. You can even ask them to help spread the word!
Cookies make excellent gifts for employees or clients! If you’re interested in purchasing… WHAT IS THIS PROCESS?
Social Media Posts
From the menu below you can cut-and-paste copy for your social media!
Facebook and Twitter
Create moments of joy at home this winter with Girl Scout Cookies! With virtual ordering and cookie delivery, it’s the easiest way to stay safe while supporting your local community. #ThinkOutsideTheCookieBox #girlscoutcookies Get your hands on some cookies using the Girl Scouts GCNWI virtual shop: http://bit.ly/gcnwi-cookies
Does anybody want some cookies? Order today and get them delivered straight to your door! http://bit.ly/gcnwi-cookies
New year, same delicious cookies! Get yours today and support local Girl Scouts! http://bit.ly/gcnwi-cookies
It’s cookie season! 💚 When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, the next generation of girls get a taste of what it takes to be successful and you get a taste of a delicious American tradition. Order up! http://bit.ly/gcnwi-cookies
Ways to order Girl Scout Cookies this year: 1. Find a virtual cookie booth, 2. Download the app, 3. Order cookies online. Whatever way you order, get started here: http://bit.ly/gcnwi-cookies #GirlScoutCookies
Instagram
🚨This is not a drill!🚨 Girl Scout Cookies are back for a limited time! Don’t miss your chance to stock up on old favorites or try something new! YAY! GSCookiesNow.com
What empowers girls and creates joy? Girl Scout Cookies, of course! Order yours today: GSCookiesNow.com
Create moments of joy at home this winter with Girl Scout Cookies! With virtual ordering and cookie delivery, it’s the easiest way to stay safe while supporting your local community. 💚 GSCookiesNow.com #ThinkOutsideTheCookieBox
How to enjoy #GirlScoutCookies Season:
Visit GSCookiesNow.com
Find an in-person booth, or order online from a troop’s virtual booth. 📱
Pick up your delivery from your mailbox or doorstep 📦
Relax and experience the joy of biting into a uniquely delicious Girl Scout Cookie! 💚
LinkedIn
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season! When you purchase Girl Scout Cookies, you are supporting girls’ success and their ability to create a brighter future. Find out how to order cookies from a Girl Scout near you! GSCookiesNow.com #GirlScoutCookies
Did you know that Girl Scout Cookies make the PERFECT company gift? Get yours today and support local Girl Scouts in the process! GSCookiesNow.com #GirlScoutCookies
Whether it’s an outdoor adventure, a STEM activity that opens her mind to new possibilities, a service project, or the chance to build a lifetime of memories with her Girl Scout sisters near or far, Girl Scout Cookies make it happen! Order your cookies today! GSCookiesNow.com #GirlScoutCookies
Girl Scout Cookies: Joy in every bite. Order your cookies today! GSCookiesNow.com
How to enjoy Girl Scout Cookie Season 2020: 1: Visit GSCookiesNow.com 2: Order online or call your local troop 📱 3: Pick up your delivery from your mailbox or doorstep 📦 4: Relax and experience the joy of biting into a uniquely delicious Girl Scout Cookie! 💚 #GirlScoutCookies
Know a girl who would like to sell cookies?
All Girl Scouts are a part of an amazing sisterhood. Together they are building entrepreneurial skills that they can only get through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Plus, they make lifelong friends they make along the way as they set high goals and learn essential life skills last far beyond Cookie Season. Become a Girl Scout today!
Social copy for girls who are not yet Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts are building entrepreneurial skills that they can only get through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Help your girl start her own cookie business today! girlscoutsgcnwi.org/sellcookies
Being a part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program is easier than ever now that we have gone digital! Help her set up her shop online with Digital Cookie! Learn more! girlscoutsgcnwi.org/sellcookies
Thank you for your support from the bottom of our hearts!
This season, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced a national partnership with food ordering and delivery platform Grubhub so girls have an additional way to facilitate contact-free cookie orders. In our council of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, consumers in areas determined by our Gathering Place locations can order Girl Scout Cookies for delivery on Grubhub.com or the Grubhub app. A hands-on experience in managing e-commerce, local Girl Scouts will track and fulfill orders, manage inventory, and more, all using Grubhub’s back-end technology. As always, the proceeds benefit the troop and council while providing another innovative way to safely run the cookie program virtually. GSUSA is grateful to Grubhub for waiving all fees for the organization to make this new delivery option feasible for sales without reducing proceeds.
What does this mean for Girl Scouts in our council?
In our council, girls will be partnering with GCNWI staff and volunteers to hone their skills and gain some new experiences along the way.
Which Girl Scouts are eligible to participate in the Grubhub partnership?
Just as in all Girl Scout programs, girls build essential skills each year they participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. GSUSA, in partnership with councils, have identified this as a progressive opportunity that insures it is girl-led and to provide an extra layer of e-commerce experience gained by offering this cookie selling pathway to them. There are several factors involved, but this does involve a girl “staffing” a Grubhub distribution point in conjunction with GSGCNWI to fulfill orders and gain a greater perspective for the processes and decisions entrepreneurs make every day. The number of girl(s) and staff/volunteers at each location will be limited to ensure COVID safety guidelines are followed. Additional training will be required for all girls, staff and volunteers who participate in this partnership program. All participants must comply with all GSGCNWI COVID safety guidelines as well as the guidelines required by our partner, Grubhub to ensure consumer and driver safety.
Where will the “cookie cupboards” be located?
Per our national contract with Grubhub, GCNWI may only offer pick-up locations at our Gathering Place locations. Drivers will only service Grubhub diners within a 20-mile radius of each location. Each location will have established hours of operation.
Who will provide the cookies used in this delivery?
The inventory supplied will be managed by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and will not come out of the individual girl or troop inventory. Troops will not be allowed to bring cookies from their inventory. Girls and their troop will get credit for packages sold through this model during their “shift.”
How will customers place an order?
Customers can visit www.grubhub.com/food/girl_scouts to find out if/when contact-free delivery from Grubhub is available in their area. When the program launches, customers may order through Grubhub.com or via the Grubhub mobile app.
Do Grubhub diners have the option to pay cash for orders?
No, all orders are required to be placed electronically via the app and/or website.
What times will the booths operate?
Booth times are 4pm to 8pm CST (Thursday thru Saturday). We may add Sunday as an option in the future.
How will this program be marketed in our area?
Grubhub is investing in advertising in the areas it services to promote the Grubhub partnership. We do not have information on where or how frequent ads will run. GSGCNWI, in partnership with Little Brownie Bakery, will be advertising the cookie finder tool starting in February – with a focus on encouraging consumers to purchase cookies from local Girl Scouts. We have also heavily invested in our PR campaign to encourage consumers to purchase through Digital Cookie, visit a local booth location or order from their favorite Girl Scout.
Can customers donate to Gift of Caring through Grubhub?
No. Per our contract and legal requirements with Grubhub, customers may not opt to donate to Gift of Caring (or similar program) at any council.
What fees are diners responsible for paying when ordering?
Diners are responsible for paying a service fee, delivery fee, and small order fee (only for orders under $10), along with an optional driver tip for delivery orders. Councils and troops participating will not be charged any fees by Grubhub for utilizing this program to aid in cookie delivery.
Is there a recommended minimum order amount for delivery orders?
No – diners may order as few as one package.
How are Grubhub drivers screened to protect the councils and the diners?
Grubhub runs criminal and motor vehicle background checks on all drivers and sends them best practices on how to conduct themselves in a professional environment. GSGCNWI staff and adult volunteers will be on-site at each pickup location.
How else can consumers safely purchase Girl Scout Cookies this season?
Consumers can support Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies in a few ways:
If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she is selling cookies – many girls participate in Digital Cookie and may have a link they can share to help you purchase cookies online.
Beginning February 1, enter your zip code into the Girl Scout Cookie Finder at www.girlscoutcookies.org to purchase from a local Girl Scout troop.
It’s time to get ready for cookie season, and we have 10 ways to help inspire you and think outside of the cookie both as you go digital this season!
Get creative on social media! Use TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and emails to get the word out. (REMINDER: You are not allowed to advertise cookie sales on public sales forums, like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Garage Sale forums, Craigslist, etc.)
Contact family, friends, and others directly, and ask them to spread the word, too! A lot can travel by word of mouth!
Take photos and videos to promote your sales, and don’t reign in your imagination! Take this Girl Scout for example she covered “Redbone” by Childish Gambino to sell her cookies!
Personalize your Digital Cookie site with what make YOU unique and memorable! Add a video, your personal mission statement, and what you or your troop plans on doing with the money earned!
Use QR codes and Bit.ly to your advantage! This will make it extra easy to get people to your Digital Cookie site—contact free! See tip #9 for how you can utilize these!
Make your own door hangers, street signs, and lawn signs with your personalized bit.ly link or QR code to generate some organic traffic! Make your own or buy them from our shop in our cookie kits!
All Girl Scouts make a promise to help people at all times, so it is no surprise that our girls have been sources of joy and generosity when we find ourselves in times of crisis. Across the country, Girl Scouts are fulfilling both their promise and the Girl Scout Law by trying to make the world a better place, even under our current limitations.
In our Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana communities, Girl Scouts are stepping up for people who needed it most even while staying safe at home. Whether by donating cookies to medical professionals, sharing cheer with neighbors through art, gathering resources for food pantries, even making their own PSAs, our Girl Scouts are showing themselves to be resilient and experts in spreading kindness.
Read on to learn about some of the ways Girl Scouts are walking the Girl Scout walk, even as we practice social distancing.
Kindness through Cookies
Medical professionals around the world have been working tirelessly on the front lines to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on their communities, and locally, many Girl Scouts have decided to donate some well deserved snacks to them.
Big thanks to Brownie troop 55693 in Naperville for the thoughtful cards and delicious @girlscouts cookies for our Emergency Department staff. Generous gestures like this go a long way. pic.twitter.com/Er8FzowSyc
— Rush University System for Health (@RushMedical) March 16, 2020
Girl Scout Ruhi from Troop 55693 (featured in a blog post last week) already wants to help others when she grows up. She also realized she doesn’t have to wait until she grows up to help others, so she gathered up Girl Scout Cookies, and made thank-you cards with her sister Brownies. The much-appreciated donations were delivered by an adult to Rush University Medical Center staff!
Girl Scout Addison from Troop 45135 gathered up 93 boxes of cookies donated by Addison’s gracious customers and had them delivered to St. Alexius Medical Center. She said she was grateful she was able to help, even in this small way, because giving back ties into the service aspect of Girl Scouts! And the staff themselves were incredibly grateful, as they get very few breaks and little time to eat.
Across Service Unit 413, girls created over 100 signs and cards offering words of encouragement and appreciation to all health care workers serving on the front line of this pandemic. Additionally, troops 45621, 40469 and 41346 donated over 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the health care workers. NorthShore University HealthSystem Hospital Emergency Departments located in Skokie, Highland Park, Evanston and Glenbrook were the recipients of the cards, signs and cookies. They all expressed gratitude and were very impressed with the generosity of all the troops!
Girl Scout Leah P. from Elk Grove Village Troop 45421 got creative when it came to staying connected with her neighborhood: “To keep a sense of community for my friends and neighbors I packaged and delivered over 50 envelopes with Easter coloring sheets and activities to host a virtual coloring contest!”
Another artistic solution to keep in touch with others from a group of super kind Girl Scouts:
Girl Scout Troop 50367 is asking others to join them in drawing “pictures of cheer” for seniors who may not be allowed to have visitors due to COVID-19. Please send digital pics to be shared with centers to picturesofcheer@gmail.com @girlscouts@glencrestms@GirlScoutsGCNWIpic.twitter.com/n1Fda6HqTz
Girl Scouts from Troop 35424 in Crown Point, IN worked together virtually over the last two weeks to create a PSA video to generate awareness of the need to support local food pantries during this challenging time. These go-getters are working on their Bronze Award by helping people in their community who may experience job loss or food insecurity, and this was a great way to complete their Award while practicing social distancing.
Right before shelter-in-place started, Girl Scout Troop 55191 from Itasca was recognized by the Elk Grove Character Scout Coalition and the mayor for the work they do in the community!
This group of girls provides a full meal to guests at the PADS homeless shelter every year, and this year they tied it into their New Cuisines badge. They also completed their Bronze Award by providing fresh vegetables and activities for kids in shelters, and along with the broader Itasca community, the troop collected more than 1,000 pounds of Halloween candy to be donated to Packages for Patriots in Elk Grove Village!
Congratulations to this awesome Girl Scout troop!
We are beyond proud of these Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts across the country, who have donated their time, effort, and kindness to people who need it. They are exemplifying what it means to be a Girl Scout: to be a source of strength and joy, to help others in need, and make the world a better place.
If you have recently contributed kindness to your community, we want to know! Please share your story with us here: http://bit.ly/shareyourgsstory
