Girl Scout cookie sales now underway

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois kicked off the cookie program Jan. 9 with Cookie Rallies throughout the council.
Girls will continue to take orders for cookies through Jan. 31, and Cookie Booths will continue to be held on various weekends through March. To get connected to a Girl Scout in your area, call 800-345-6858 or go online towww.gsofsi.org.
An exciting addition to this year’s Cookie Program is that girls will be able to sell Girl Scout Cookies online through a new platform called Digital Cookie. “Digital Cookie creates a safe, interactive space for girls to sell cookies,” said Kelly Jansen, director of product program.
“Girls will market their online cookie business by inviting customers via email to visit their personalized cookie websites, where consumers can order cookies from the comfort of their living room,” Jansen said.
“This is also a great opportunity for girls to provide friends and family from out of town with an easy option to purchase cookies from them and support their cookie business,” Jansen said.
A new cookie enters the lineup for the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program. The Rah-Rah Raisin is a hearty oatmeal cookie with plump raisins and Greek yogurt-flavored chunks. Rah-Rah Raisins will be available at Cookie Booths throughout the council, as well as an option during traditional order-taking.
Additionally, 2015 marks the 40th birthday of the Samoa Girl Scout cookie. Samoa cookies are coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and striped with dark chocolate; they have been a favorite of many customers for 40 years.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls and their communities. Girls who participate in the 2015 Girl Scout Cookie Program benefit from “learning by earning” and develop five valuable life skills – goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics.
Girls then use their proceeds to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp or to travel to destinations near and far.
In addition, proceeds from the program help GSSI recruit and train adult volunteers; provide financial assistance, so Girl Scouting is available to all girls; improve and maintain camp properties; and develop and deliver quality program activities for girls.
The Girl Scout Mission is: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls working together.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region. Girl Scouts is a Proud Partner of United Way.