By Tanna Friday
Editor
TRUSSVILLE – In January, Trussville Girl Scouts, Troop 30148, joined Girl Scouts of the USA’s second century of selling cookies.While selling cookies, Girl Scouts have the opportunity to showcase their G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) spirit and build essential entrepreneurial and other business skills. .
Troop 30148 illustrated much leadership and entrepreneurship while succeeding in record -breaking sales.
This year, 20 eight and nine year old girls spread out all over town with a mission in mind – sell cookies. With their eyes on the prize, they were able to sell around 17,000 boxes of cookies worth more than $72,000.
Cookie Manager, Mallory Wilkins, said the proceeds from cookie sales are passed on to individual Girl Scout Councils and troops, who then decide how to spend the money.
“We first pay the Girl Scout Council and the dues for the girls,” said Wilkins. “The additional money is spent on local clean-up projects, Camp Coleman, and other projects. We also spend time with the girls teaching good finance habits. We teach the girls to save some, give some and have fun with some.
In 2017, the troop received a $6,000 profit. This year the troop made a $16,000 profit.
Wilkins said that she and Trussville’s Girl Scout troop leader, Sabrina Lang, created challenges throughout the cookie season and gave them prizes to reward and motivate the girls. They discovered just how motivated the girls were.
“These girls are so impressionate,” she said. “Unlike adults, kids don’t put a limit on their goals.They reach higher.”
Several girls had goals to sell more than the previous year.
“Two of our girls sold 3,000 boxes and another sold 1,500 boxes,” she said. “That’s a lot of cookies.”
“Our troop came in second overall in North Alabama, following Bessemer who had 45 girls. We have 20 girls and had an amazing
performance.”
During an after season celebration at Iceburgs Italian Ice last week, the troop was surprised with a four night trip to Walt Disney World.
“The girls were so excited,” she said. “Not only for the trip to Disney, but also about flying in an airplane for the first time.”.
Wilkins said there would be additional fundraisers to help offset the cost of the trip. The first fundraiser is a Spirit event at Marco’s Pizza on April 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The troop will also have a t-shirt fundraiser in the next couple of months.
If you are interested in donating to the Girl Scouts Troop 30148, please email Mallory at mallory.w.wilkins@gmail.com.