Local Girl Scout council celebrates 100th year of cookie sale

Staff report

MACEDONIA

A century ago, a group of innovative girls started what would become a national tradition: Girl Scout cookies. Today, it’s the country’s largest girl-led business.

On Friday through Sunday, Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, along with councils across the country, will participate in the 100th anniversary of the first-known sale of Girl Scout cookies.

In addition to customers gratifying their sweet tooth by placing orders for favorites such as Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils and the new S’mores cookie, the Scouts have fun participating in the National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend and learn five essential skills: decision-making, goal-setting, augmenting people skills, money management and business ethics.

It also gives them the opportunity to talk about their goals and showcase their cookie-selling abilities through in-person and digital sales throughout Northeast Ohio.

It’s those kinds of skills that help Girl Scouts better prepare themselves for the world ahead, GSNEO officials said.

While loyal cookie customers await their return each year, few understand where the money actually ends up.

Each cookie season, troops decide how they will allocate their potential earnings by investing in their communities through projects and enrichment experiences or even travel opportunities.

Those are possible because 100 percent of the net revenue from sales stays with the local council, so customers who purchase Girl Scout cookies are making an investment within their community.

For information on where to purchase Girl Scout cookies, visit www.girlscoutcookies.org. Or customers can go to the app store on their smartphone and install the official Girl Scout cookie finder app.