Rallying the troops to sell Girl Scout cookies

By Barbara J. Woerner

Correspondent

VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON

January brings post-holiday doldrums, gray skies and visions of spring.

But not for Virginia Beach's Girl Scouts. They're cheering - literally - for the month's arrival, which kicks off a tempting tradition that spans eight decades.

Sweet dreams of Tagalogs, Thin Mints, Samoas and more filled youngsters' heads Friday when Back Bay Service Unit 680 joined Girl Scouts across the country to launch 2008's cookie sale with a rally.

More than 200 girls, parents and troop leaders packed Three Oaks Elementary to pick up order forms, sample cookies and get motivated with help from the Wild Cheetah Cheerleaders.

Veteran Girl Scout Kate Cormier, 17, watched the pep leaders teach a cheer routine.

"I'll be selling cookies," she said. "I have a big neighborhood, and they know I'm coming, so I'm in luck."

Meanwhile, fellow Scouts Kaitlin Cross, Marinda Stites, Milagros Kelly, Abbey Polemic and Grace Jeffrey followed directions from the cheerleaders. With arms in the air, they sang loudly and then laughed.

"This event really pumps them up," troop leader Beth Opaleni k observed.

Added Melody Jeffrey, "This provides a quick crash course for those girl s (who) have never sold before. They cover safety and other sales issues here, and it's a good time."

Back Bay, part of Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, was one of several service units to hold a cookie rally the night before sales began.

Last year, Colonial Coast members sold more than 1.4 million boxes of the treats, for net sales of about $2.67 million.

This year's goal is 1.5 million boxes or more, said council communication director Marcy Germanotta.

The council supports more than 1,100 troops, or about 16,500 girls across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

"All proceeds from cookie sales stay in the local area," Germanotta said.

From last year's sale, 49 percent went to the council, 20 percent to troops, 28 percent to sale promotion and other costs, and 3 percent to volunteer recognition.

Eight varieties of cookies are available and sell for $3.50 per box.

After watching the cheering demonstration, Troop 451 members Loren and Katherine Chasse left the Back Bay Service Unit rally excited about selling the fundraising delectables.

"I think the Thin Mints are my favorite," said Loren Chasse.

Her sister concurred, munching a mouthful of the fundraising delight s.

Barbara J. Woerner, bjwz2cool@cox.net