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They're sending love for the heart and the tummy

A Gulfport Girl Scout troop enjoys great success with its program to send cookies to troops overseas.

By FRANKIE HOWLEY
Published March 12, 2006

There were 11 greetings. Several of them read "Thank you so much for being so brave. Please enjoy these cookies from home."

Compiled in a giant thank you card, this is the message Girl Scout Troop 872 will send to troops overseas with their shipment of cookies sent with help from MacDill Air Force Base.

As participants in the "Cookies from Home" program, the troop has sold 786 boxes and 64 cases of cookies to support troops. But they are not alone.

The Girl Scouts of Suncoast Council, representing Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, have sold more than 32,000 boxes and 2,724 cases during preorders (the initial order where Girl Scouts promote cookie sales by going door-to-door). With the season drawing to a close today, there is still room for growth.

Sending cookies overseas to troops, the "Cookies from Home" program offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to send a little taste from home to loved ones.

"There's been an overwhelming community response," said Tonia Bascom, product sales manager for Girl Scouts of the Suncoast Council. "It's great that people want to continue their support. When people buy boxes there is a conversion on our end."

It is this conversion, or price difference, that allows the required cases, consisting of 12 boxes each, to be filled and sent overseas through MacDill.

Based in Gulfport, Troop 872 made it their goal to attempt to fill the plane at MacDill. By creating patriotic posters and displaying camouflage balloons with a tablecloth that read "Thank you for your support," they grabbed the attention of passersbys who signed their card and attached their own business cards.

The top selling flavor was Thin Mints, closely followed by Samoas. And as a reward, the group made enough money to swim with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove in Orlando.

In response to the girls' efforts, Susan Marotta said she is amazed with their success, dedication and involvement.

"It's wonderful. I don't even know how to describe it," said Marotta, cookie manager for Troop 872. "It's touching their hearts."

Touching the hearts of others has been a theme for Girl Scouts of the Suncoast Council for many years. Inspired by the "Gift of Caring" program, which originally focused on cookie donations made to homes, the girls came up with the idea themselves to create "Cookies from Home," which continues to be a huge success.

"I'm proud of the girls wanting to do something civic minded," said Kelly Lynn, communications manager for Girl Scouts of the Suncoast Council. "It's nice to see the girls thinking on a worldwide scale."

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:18:21]