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Goal Setting,Entreprenurialship and Cookies For Our Troops Overseas - ABC Bakers
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Cory Reed
Marketing & Communications Manager
561-427-0176
creed@gssef.org
GOAL SETTING, ENTREPRENURIALSHIP
AND COOKIES FOR OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS
—Local Girl Scouts Set to Sell 1.8 Million Boxes—
JUPITER, FL, January 7, 2009—The Girl Scout Cookie Program is America’s leading business and economic literacy program for girls. And during the 2009 sale, which runs January 22 through February 10, local Girl Scouts will put their sales and marketing skills into action as they strive to reach an unprecedented goal: Sell 1.8 million boxes of cookies.
“Setting and achieving goals and helping to decide how to spend the money they earn provide girls with a tremendous sense of accomplishment,” commented CEO Denise Valz. “Our annual ‘Cookies for the Military’ program also provides an opportunity for the community to support the women and men serving in our military.”
Girl Scout Cookies are once again $3.50 per box. And, all the popular favorites are back including Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Thanks-a-Lots, and Lemonades. This year, there’s a new cookie in town: Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds. This Girl Scout Cookie makes it easy to snack by doing the calorie counting for you! Each carton contains five ready-to-grab-and-go snack packs full of crispy cinnamon flowers blooming with flavor in every bite! Way to snack!
The Girl Scout Cookie sale is one of the most anticipated events of the year by both Girl Scouts and our customers. Held just two weeks each year, girls set up “cookie booths” outside local retail establishments, sell door-to-door in their neighborhoods, and at their parents’ places of employment. For most Girl Scouts, participating in the cookie sale provides an opportunity for girls to develop plans and budgets, design and implement creative marketing strategies, and master the art of both sales and customer service. They actively participate in setting goals for their sale and in deciding how they will spend the proceeds. Most troops use their cookie revenue to fund participation in program activities and events throughout the year. Some save for several years for a large trip.
Troops and groups earn between 60 and 70 cents for each box sold, depending on their total volume and growth over the prior year. To reach the goal of 1.8 million boxes, girls will need to sell an average of 150 boxes each. Last year, the average number of boxes sold per girl was 153. In addition to the per box earnings, troops with the highest number of boxes sold per girl can earn additional bonuses.
Besides utilizing traditional sales outlets, Girl Scouts will also use the cookie program as an opportunity to spark some marketing creativity. Some will make formal presentations; others will create displays that
outline their troop goals and how they will use the money. Last year, one local Girl Scout set up a “drive-thru” cookie booth in her circular driveway. Her signage directed customers to the booth where each day she had established hours for customers to drive though and purchase cookies.
Young entrepreneurs have been at work in the Girl Scout organization since 1917, when girls baked the cookies in their own kitchens and sold them door-to-door. Their efforts helped build a long-standing tradition of girls working together to achieve their goals and become leaders in their own communities and beyond. The skills they develop and the memories they make will last long after the cookies are gone.
The annual Cookies for the Military program will provide customers with an opportunity to donate cookies to the women and men serving our county overseas. At each and every Girl Scout cookie booth, customers will be given the opportunity to donate an extra box of cookies which will be sent to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Customers may also call the Council directly at 561-427-0177 to make a monetary donation for this cause. Last year, more than 19,000 boxes were shipped to places including Iraq and Afghanistan.
About Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Development Program, girls discover their personal best and prepare for a positive future, connect with others in an increasingly diverse world, and take action to solve problems and improve their communities.
A premier voice for girls and a leading expert on their growth and development, Girl Scouts is a highly regarded, contemporary organization. Girl Scouts offers girls ages 5-17 remarkable opportunities to develop values and contribute to society as leaders, thinkers and responsible citizens.
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves 19,000 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. For more information, visit www.gssef.org or call 866-727-GIRL (4475).
Interview Opportunities with Girl Scouts are available, as well as cookie tastings.
To schedule an interview, please contact Cory Reed at 561-427-0176 or creed@gssef.org.
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