FARMINGDALE – This is the time of year when Girl Scouts everywhere are busy promoting the sale of their cookies, setting up stands in front of convenience stores, chain stores and parades but that came to an abrupt change thanks to the COVID-19 crisis.
While sales occurred at some of those venues during the first months of the year, area Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Council found a new mission beyond the sale of their cookies. One that brought a smile to the faces of healthcare workers at Jersey Shore Medical Center.
There is nothing quite like Girl Scout cookies to lift the spirits of anyone and the healthcare workers clearly appreciated their special reward.
“Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore have been delivering scores of tasty Girl Scout cookies and notes of thanks to cheer doctors, nurses, technicians and other superheroes on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic,” Girl Scouts leader Andrea Plaza said.
“Local troops were in the midst of their annual Girl Scout cookie season when the health crisis put a pause on their door-to-door and booth sales. With a large inventory of cookies on their hands and a desire to show appreciation to tireless health care workers and first responders currently involved with the COVID-19 crisis, the Girl Scouts decided to donate a portion of their supplies and invited businesses and individuals to sponsor boxes of cookies to contribute to area hospitals, police departments and first aid squads,” Plaza said.
So far, more than 700 boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and other Girl Scout cookie flavors have been delivered by Girl Scout staff and volunteers with notes from local Girl Scouts.
“It’s a small way to say thank you to the dedicated professionals who are working long hours and missing family time to ensure that the community is safe and well cared for during this health emergency,” Eileen Higgins, chief executive officer of the council said.
Higgins added that the council serves 10,000 girls across Monmouth and Ocean counties. She noted that this sweet gesture has been well-received by first responders and healthcare teams.
The cookies were delivered to Hackensack Meridian Health’s Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford, CentraState Medical Center in Freehold and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, among others.
“There is so much more in a box of Girl Scout cookies than just delicious treats,” Higgins said. “They open our girls to invaluable life lessons like giving back to the community.”
The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore serves more than 10,000 girls ages 5-18 in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing a time-tested leadership experience that inspires and motivates them to take action for themselves and their communities.
Higgins said that for over 107 years, Girl Scouts has helped girls become women of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Girl Scout Cookie donations to charitable and community organizations, can contact customercare@GSFun.org.
For information on how to join, volunteer, partner, or donate, visit gsfun.org or call 800-785-2090.
