Dear Editor,

Over the next week, you may hear a knock at your door and see the smiling face of a Girl Scout asking you to purchase Girl Scout Cookies. Every year, thousands of girls across Northeast Ohio gain valuable, character building skills while providing the community with these delicious treats. What one may not realize is how much good the Girl Scout cookies can do for your community.

Girl Scout troops use money they earn from the cookie sale to fund community service projects, like renovating libraries, creating music programs, and providing gifts for Toys for Tots. Girls also plan for educational trips to Washington D.C., or they may participate in a Girl Scout science program at NASA, or attend camp. From teaching other peers about Internet safety to brightening someone's day making crafts with the residents of an assisted living community, Girl Scouts are learning Real Life Skills to become Real Leaders of our communities. The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls money management, self-sufficiency, and public speaking skills that build courage, confidence and character. With big hearts and big imaginations, Girl Scouts become young entrepreneurs who learn the value of community service.

Again this year, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) is supporting Operation: Sweet Appreciation, a service project that benefits men and women serving in the military. If you would like to support the Girl Scout's mission to thank our soldiers for their dedication and hard work, or purchase cookies for yourself, please call 1-888-9-Thin Mint. We will connect you with a local Girl Scout who will be happy to place your cookie order.

So when a Girl Scout knocks on your door asking for your support, will you purchase cookies from her? As you think about your choice, remember, these are cookies that not only taste good, but they are the cookies that do good!

Sincerely,

Daisy L. Alford-Smith, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio