More than 400 Girl Scouts Attend Meriden Cookie Rally!

More than 400 Girl Scouts came together at the Westfield Meriden Shopping Mall on Saturday, January 4, to celebrate the start of the 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program! Tables scattered throughout the mall featured fun activities that girls of all levels could complete in order to earn a Cookie Rally patch. Older Girl Scouts acted as volunteers, helping younger Girl Scouts with their rally activities and learning the Five Skills girls gain through the Cookie Program: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Girl Scouts also learned about the Cookies for Heroes Program, a Gift of Caring Service Project that allows the public to purchase Girl Scout Cookies in support of Girl Scouting, our veterans and active duty military members at home and overseas, as well as local community heroes. Girl Scouts of Connecticut, along with community partners, will deliver the cookies. Last year, more than 130,000 boxes were sent to our service women and men, and this year, the goal is even higher!

The ceremonies at Meriden were kicked off by Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s CEO Mary Barneby and Meriden Mayor Manuel Santos, as both spoke to the girls about setting goals and achieving them.

“Despite the frigid temperatures, nearly 1,900 girls attended our five cookie rallies across the state, enthusiastic and ready to kick off our Cookie Program,” Barneby said. “Our cookie rallies get the girls excited to discover new customers, connect with others to build great business relationships, and take action to achieve their goals as an individual and within their troop. Our girls are setting goals and we are excited to see what they can achieve!”

The largest girl-led business in the world, the Cookie Program is a large part of the Girl Scout experience. What can a girl do? She’ll show you how, in her own way, she’ll become a leader and make important decisions for herself and in her community.

By purchasing a box of cookies, supporters are helping girls learn Five Skills that will make her a successful adult leader: goal setting, money management, business ethics, people skills, and decision making. It’s an investment in girl-led and girl-centered programming that helps girls discover their personal best; connect with others to build healthy relationships; and take action in their communities to make the world a better place.

Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Dulce De Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, and Savannah Smiles will all be available this year. For more information about the Girl Scout Cookie Program or to find a Girl Scout near you, log onto www.gsofct.org or call 1-800-922-2770.