Knoxville, Tennessee (January 10):  The 2008 Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council Cookie Program is underway.  Thin Mints, Samoas and all the favorites are back, along with new additions: Lemon Chalet Cremes and the sugar free Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?  Click here!  

Buy a cookie today and build the business leader of tomorrow

Although the public enjoys the cookies for only a limited time, Tanasi Council Girl Scouts anticipate the event all year long.

 “It’s fun to get out in your community, ring doorbells and meet your neighbors,” says Senior Girl Scout Sarah Joy Stombaugh.  “I’ve been selling cookies to one lady for 10 years!  We both look forward to cookie season.”        

All proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stay in East Tennessee.  Troops decide how to spend their funds— from field trips to community service projects. Stombaugh’s troop used cookie money to attend summer resident camp.  A Maryville troop has been saving cookie money for years for a trip to Europe.  A Fountain City Troop used cookie money to build a playground for Berean Christian School. 

“The young lady who approaches you to buy a box of Girl Scout cookies is growing in courage, confidence and character,” says Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council CEO Lucille Griffo.  “She is learning how to plan and budget and market her product. She is learning about the art of public speaking and customer service. Isn’t it amazing what a box of cookies can do?” 

Tanasi Council Girl Scouts started taking orders January 18.  Cookie deliveries and booth sales begin February 29. The sale ends March 19.  To find a Girl Scout selling cookies in your area, call 1-800-474-1912. 

Like almost 10,000 other area Girl Scouts, Alyssa Griffin is hoping for a lot of customers.  The 12-year-old has been a businesswoman for more than half her life.   “I’ve sold cookies for seven years,” she says.  “I hope to sell about 300 boxes this year—but it’s hard work!” 

About Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council…

Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serves more than 10,000 girls in 16 East Tennessee counties.  Additionally, 3,500 adult volunteers work with Tanasi to deliver the Girl Scout program.   Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouting has offered enormous opportunities for girls to develop positive values and contribute to society as leaders, thinkers and responsible citizens.

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