Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is partnering with Heroes in Action for the tenth year in a row to provide Girl Scout Cookies to members of the military and their families.
The initiative dubbed “Operation Cookie” launches on National Cookie Weekend, February 27, 2015. Beginning that day and through March 29, Girl Scouts will be maintaining Operation Cookie Booths throughout the community.
The partnership between the two organizations started in 2005. Girl Scouts provided cookies to Heroes in Action to be placed in care packages for service men and women, along with 20 additional cases to be distributed throughout the year to veterans and military members and their families. Each year, that number has doubled or tripled. Last year, 44,091 boxes were donated to the cause.
“Providing a taste of home to brave men and women is truly a gratifying part of my job,” said Jennifer Greene, product sales manager for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, “Giving our girls, volunteers, and customers a way to help support men and women serving in the U.S. military really connects them to the world. Many girls/troops include cards and letters of friendship and support in their donated cookies. I amazed at how this program grows each and every year.”
Heroes in Action donates the delicious treats to military members serving overseas, but they also give to the National Guard, the 180th, as well as local military families and veterans.
“The veterans have a lot of stories to tell,” said Dawn Heisler, director of Heroes in Action. “Cookies are a luxury for them, so when we give them a box, they tear up and are so thankful. Some of the homeless vets have nothing, so this is truly an act of kindness and compassion for them.”
She often gets requests from service members all over the world.
“If we all worked together, we’d get so much more accomplished,” continued Heisler. “We can reach so many more people and touch so many more lives with more donations.”
To learn more about becoming a Girl Scout, volunteering, or donating to the cause, people can call 888.350.5090, email customerservice@gswo.org, or visit gswo.org.
To learn more about Heroes in Action, people can visit heroesinaction.org or call 419.699.3439.
