June 6, 2024 – The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, in collaboration with Hickory Point Bank, WSOY, and NowDecatur.com hosted their annual Operation Cookie Share event, which raised funds for Girl Scout Programs while also providing Girl Scouts Cookies to the troops and first responders.
The event, held in Central Park, started in 2010 and has provided 420,000 boxes to military men and women at home and overseas. Because of this achievement, Girl Scouts was entered in the Illinois Congressional Records.
“This event is important to Hickory Point bank because it’s a well-run community event that supports girls, local girls in many different ways. It also gives back to our first responders and also the military.” said Karla Miller, Director of Client Experiences for Hickory Point Bank.
Cookies sent overseas to troops are distributed by a company called Soldiers Angels. Cookies supplied to first responders and hospitals are distributed by the scouts themselves.
“Thousands of people have been reached by Operation Cookie Share, we’ve been able to send more than 2 million dollars worth of girl scout cookies to soldiers and local first responders.” Said Kelly Day, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
The scouts who participated received either an Operation Cookie Share patch/pin for community service at a cookie station and/or Money Smart patch with Hickory Point Bank. Funds will be used to pay for camps, conferences, programs and scholarships.
Check out the photos HERE.
By: Isaiah Bradford
