Girl Scout cookie season is known for iconic treats, but for many girls, the real reward comes after the sales are over.
Through the Heroes on the Horizon program, Girl Scouts encourage customers to donate boxes of cookies that are later delivered to local heroes across the community.
“Community service and giving back are really at the heart of Girl Scouts, and this is just another way that we do that through the cookie program,” said Bailey Brooker, director of communications for Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons. “I think the girls get a lot out of it and are also learning a great experience.”
At cookie booths and online, Girl Scouts ask customers if they would like to donate a box of cookies. At the end of the season, those donations are gathered and distributed to community organizations in person.
“So girls are encouraged to ask customers to make a donation of a box of cookies at their booth or online, and at the end of the season, we gather them all up and drop them off to local heroes,” Brooker said.
Those small donations can add up quickly.
“So last year we donated over 10,500 packages of cookies to local heroes and first responders throughout our community,” Brooker said.