The Season of Do-si-dos and Samoas

Today is the last day that McLean Girl Scouts and those across the Washington D.C. will go door-to-door to take your order for  Thin Mints, Samoas, and six additional cookie varieties to raise funds for their troops and for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC).

If no one has shown up at your door to tempt you with Thin Mints; Do-si-dos; Samoas; Tagalongs; Lemon Chalet Crèmes; Dulce de Leche; Trefoils; and Thank You Berry Munch, your tummy need not worry.

The Girl Scouts and their moms will greet us in front of the McLean Giant and the two McLean Safeway stores beginning Feb. 18.

More than 42,000 girls from around Washington participated in the Girl Scout cookie program last year, selling more than 4.7 million boxes of cookies overall, or about 108.7 boxes per girl. The GSCNC campaign was the largest national effort, earning $2.8 million to support full camping services, service projects, volunteer training, and financial assistance for girls and families.

Julie Carlson, the manager of product sales for GSCNC, says the troops in Washington hope to repeat last year’s success.

“Once you reach the level of our program, the increases [in cookie sales] are modest year to year,” she says. “One thing we know for sure [is that] the greater Washington metropolitan area … surely love Girl Scouting and are extremely generous in their support of the Girl Scout Cookie Program.”

For each $4 box of cookies sold, the troop keeps 69 cents. And $2.04 supports Girl Scout programs around Washington. All proceeds from the Girl Scout cookie program remain within the Girl Scout councils.

The program also operates as a service project for Girl Scout troops; customers can purchase cookies that will be donated to community organizations, such as a homeless shelter or food pantry, through the “Gift of Caring” project.

 “For various reasons, some customers do not want to buy cookies for themselves. With Gift of Caring, they have a chance to give to others while supporting Girl Scouting at the same time,” Carlson says.

With revenues reaching $700 million annually, the Girl Scout cookie program is considered one of the largest girl-led businesses in the country, helping young women develop lifelong financial and communication skills.