[This post was submitted to us from Patty Bowen from Troop 20173 related to the Twin Lakes Cookie Drop. To submit your story, email communications@gswny.org]

Does 13,272 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sound like a lot?

Now imagine unloading them, sorting them, and passing them on to girls from 16 troops in just an hour and a half!

That is exactly what happened on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church in Mayville, as the Twin Lakes Service Unit, which consists of Girl Scouts from Chautauqua Lake, Westfield and Ripley school districts, took delivery of their cookies for the season.

Now those young entrepreneurs, from Daisies in Kindergarten and 1st grade through Ambassadors in 12th grade, are busy delivering  the  yummy cookies that earn money for all of the girls’ adventures.

These young people worked together to fund their troops’ camping, exploring, and traveling. From a roller skating party to celebrate Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday to learning first aid from local EMTs, the girls are busy year-round, learning life skills and building confidence to become strong women and leaders of the future. Once a year they ask for help to fund their dreams of becoming a citizen scientist, expressing themselves through the arts, and  celebrating their communities to become better citizens.

Didn’t get cookies yet? Thankfully there is still time! Find your favorite Girl Scout to get that case of Thin Mints, or look for a cookie popup booth at GSWNY.org. Either way is a great way to support this amazing organization that has molded the lives of girls from Lucille Ball and Taylor Swift to Queen Elizabeth II of England!

And remember that a diet is no excuse to turn away these girls. Send a box to a military person! The Twin Lakes Service Unit has already donated 119 boxes through the Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie 4 chapter, and are happy to pass on even more. That taste of home can really make someone’s day as they serve overseas.

For information about joining a troop or volunteering with one, go to GSWNY.org. Adult volunteers and experts are always needed!

“I am so proud of our girls for their hard work selling these cookies, and for their customers who donated boxes to service members,” said Lonikay Fisher, leader of Girl Scout Troop #20153. 

The newly formed Brownie troop in Ripley has been together for only two months, yet they have the distinction of being responsible for more than half of their service unit’s Girl Scout  cookie donations to military personnel this cookie season.

Brownie Troop #20153, six girls led by Lonikay Fisher and Megan Orton, sold 63 of those boxes for the troops!

“This is a community of people who help each other,” said Fisher. “They obviously wanted to support the troops who help us all. And our girls are amazing. They’ve worked super hard to show that support.”