Girl Scout cookies are a great symbol of America.In fact, Girl Scout Cookies continue to be one of the most requested items by Soldiers.
Girl Scout Cookie donations are sent to our military men and women at overseas and domestic military bases and veterans. Show your support for our Soldiers and your local Girl Scouts by purchasing an EXTRA box or two of Cookies. This is a wonderful community service project for our Girl Scouts along with their families, friends, neighbors to support our Soldiers overseas. The Soldiers are in stressful situations, but when they receive a box of cookies from home, it sends a message to the troops that America is thinking of them and their safe return.
GS Cookie Box: You are invited to attach a drawing or personal note on every cookie box. Girl Scout Leaders or adults only may include their personal e-mail address for Soldiers to reply. Thank you for participating in this program.
A Soldier serving in Iraq wrote to us:
“The 988th Military Police Company Headquarters platoon out of Fort Benning, Georgia, would like to Thank You for the Girl Scout Cookies. We have enjoyed getting a Taste of Home. Our platoon enjoys the cookies on our down time after work or for a snack during our long days. When we receive these gifts, we are grateful that people think about us and share with us the pleasures of the simple things, such as Girl Scout Cookies. We appreciate your support. It is a wonderful moral boost when you take care of us The platoon has enjoyed the cookies and we all thank you for all your support.”
Cookies may be mailed to:
Hugs for SoldiersP. O. Box 2887Duluth, GA 30096
OR
Drop-Off, FedEx and UPS delivery:
Hugs for SoldiersDuluth First United Methodist Church3208 Duluth Highway 120Duluth, GA 30096 Drop-off Dates and location:Wednesday, March 13 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 from 9:00 a.m.-noon at the Scout Hut (located behind the church)
Newspaper Articles:
Hugs for Soldiers send Girl Scout cookies to U.S. Military Overseas
You look forward to them all year long. There’s just nothing like the taste of TagaLongs, Samoas, and Thin Mints. And then the time comes and there’s a knock on your door – it’s a Girl Scout and you realize it’s Girl Scout cookie time.
For those serving in our military overseas, there is no knock on the door and opening it to find a Girl Scout selling her scrumptious baked goods. But one organization located in nearby Duluth is making sure some U.S. Soldiers abroad will get some.
Hugs for Soldiers, a ministry of Duluth First United Methodist Church, will send Girl Scout cookies to military men and women who have signed up to be a part of the organization’s Adopt-A-Soldier program and who are serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait and a unit in Djibouti, Africa.
Angie Doerlich, founder of Hugs for Soldiers, said it will be the organization’s tenth year for collecting cookies for the soldiers, a cookie drive that started when the group wanted to do something special for the first unit of adopted soldiers that had just returned from war in Iraq to Ft. Benning. The organization teamed up with the Duluth Girl Scout Service Unit, and as part of a community service project, the Girl Scouts sold extra boxes of cookies for the soldiers. About 60 cases were donated for delivery to the 2-69 Armor Battalion.
Over the past nine years, about 35,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies have been donated from all across the United States. The cookies, an item that cannot be purchased overseas, are shipped overseas, packed in welcome home bags for Soldiers returning home from war.
“The Soldiers are in stressful situations, but when they receive a box of cookies from home, it sends a message to the troops that America is thinking of them and their safe return,” Doerlich said.
After receiving the cookies, one Soldier wrote to Hugs for Soldiers: “The 988th Military Police Company Headquarters platoon out of Fort Benning, Georgia, would like to thank you for the Girl Scout Cookies. We have enjoyed getting a Taste of Home. Our platoon enjoys the cookies on our downtime after work or for a snack during our long days. When we receive these gifts, we are grateful that people think about us and share with us the pleasures of the simple things, such as Girl Scout Cookies. We appreciate your support. It is a wonderful moral boost when you take care of us. The platoon has enjoyed the cookies and we all thank you for all your support.”
Doerlich said the cookies are shipped to specific units and locations, especially those on Forward Operating Bases far away from the comforts enjoyed by larger bases, and Girl Scouts/donors are encouraged to write a note of appreciation to go along with each box of cookies. A return or email address of an adult may be included so that the soldiers who receive the cookies have an opportunity to write back.
In addition to “Operation: Taste of Home,” Hugs for Soldiers holds a Thanksgiving Food Drive, and this holiday more than 1,000 canned food and non-perishable food items were delivered for 90 military families of the 2-69 Armor Battalion at Ft. Benning. They will also collect Valentine cards to send the troops. The deadline for Valentine cards is Jan. 31.
“Many of our Soldiers receive little or no support from home, so a care package or letter lets them know we are supporting and thinking about them,” Doerlich said. “Through our many programs, we hope to put a smile on a Soldier’s face when he hears his name during mail call.”
For more information about Hugs for Soldiers and details on the many programs they hold throughout the year, visit www.hugsforsoldiers.org.
BY: Tana Christian Suggs
tana@suwaneemagazine.com
Ashworth College and Local Girl Scout Troop Support Hugs for Soldiers Cookie Drive
March 21, 2012, Posted by Richard Orr
Online school helps troops overseas enjoy a taste of home
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA – March 21, 2012 – Ashworth College, a leading online school, teamed up with local Girl School Troop #29328 to participate in Hugs for Soldiers, a volunteer program based in Duluth, GA, that ships care packages to military personnel deployed overseas. This year, Ashworth (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/) administration and staff donated several cases of Girl Scout Cookies.
On hand to help present the donated cookies was Lauren Bernard, Atlanta, GA. Bernard represented Girl Scout Troop #29328 where she is a Girl Scout Junior (grades 4-5).
“The Ashworth administration and staff takes great pride in giving back to the local community,” said Rodney Butler, U.S. Army First Sergeant, Retired and Ashworth College Military Education Coordinator. “It was rewarding to bring three local organizations together to support those who defend our country overseas. Our troops often leave families stateside when they are deployed and receiving Girl Scout Cookies is a pleasant reminder of what waits for them back home.”
Ashworth College has been recognized as a Yellow Ribbon School, as well as a military friendly school by both G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education magazines. The online school sponsors the Army Wife Network Field Exercise series, supports a campus chapter of the Student Veteran’s Association, and was a sponsor of Military Spouse magazine’s 2010 and 2011 Military Spouse of the Year Award programs.
About Hugs for Soldiers
Hugs for Soldiers of Duluth First United Methodist Church, Duluth, GA, is a volunteer program dedicated to offering comforts from home and brightening a Soldier’s day with a care package, card or personal letter of encouragement. Since 2003, the non-profit has served as an outlet for local civilians to show their support for the military.
Hugs for Soldiers has garnered national support and was recently named by Scholastic Parent Magazine as one of the Top Ten organizations in the United States to offer support for our troops. http://www.hugsforsoldiers.org/
About Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Troop #29328 is part of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Inc. which serves approximately 41,500 girls and over 18,000 adult members in 34 counties in the greater metropolitan Atlanta area, northwest Georgia and Polk County, TN. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.
About Ashworth College
Ashworth College, a leading online school, has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online certificate programs and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers military education online as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.
Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. James Madison High School is further accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/.
So growing up, I was a Girl Scout and every year, we'd approach everyone else's favorite time of the year - Girl Scout Cookie Time - and we were sent to neighbors' doorsteps, local grocery stores, events, and anywhere else a cute little girl could stand outside (and usually freeze) and ask passerbys to give a small donation for some amazingly delicious treats! Although the regulations, structure and types of cookies have changed, the concept hasn't and the idea of giving back is better than ever.
Now I've never been a huge fan of actually eating Girl Scout Cookies. I think a long time ago I convinced myself I didn't like them and have always just stuck to that principle for fear of going on an extreme cookie binge. This year I am trying extra hard to watch what I am eating and didn't even want the cookies around. As I passed by the girls standing outside of Acme, I still wanted to give back to a cause near and dear to my heart. I approached one of the girls and offered a donation and she explained a new idea for donations.
Basically if you see the cute little faces and feel prompted to purchase, but don't want the temptation staring you in the face, you can give a monetary donation (the cost of a box or two) and the girls will use the money to send cookies to soldiers overseas! They do this through a program called, Hugs for Soldiers, which provides a little bit of home to those who are away. I remember when I was studying abroad and some of the simple pleasures from home were all I needed to help me out when I felt homesick. I can't even image how these soldiers feel and how a Thin Mint or Shortbread cookie might help them feel just a little bit better!
So next time you're thinking about purchasing some Girl Scout cookies, ask the Girl Scout if she participates in the program and if so, throw in an extra $3.50 and send a box to a soldier!
Girl Scouts collecting treats for soldiers
Gwinnett Daily Post
Posted:7:39 PM Mar 31, 2010
DULUTH---The Duluth Service Units of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is collecting cookies this week to send to deployed soldiers.
During the cookie season, Girl Scouts asked community members if they were interested in purchasing a box of cookies and donating it to Operation Taste of Home.
Girl Scout troops dropped off some of the donated boxes Wednesday afternoon at the Duluth First United Methodist Church’s Scout Hut.Donated cookies can also be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Scout Hut, located behind the church.
For the project, the Duluth Service Unit partnered with Hugs for Soldiers of Duluth First United Methodist Church, a volunteer organization and ministry dedicated to offering comforts of home to soldiers who are deployed overseas.
Soldiers overseas get taste of home
Gwinnett-Herald.com by Tana Suggs
April 10, 2009
As the saying goes baseball, hot dogs and apple pie might be considered quintessential to America, but perhaps some might add another treat to that list – Girl Scout cookies.
And for many U. S. troops serving abroad, a box of Girl Scout cookies is a sweet reminder of home.
That’s why Scouts in the Duluth Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta are doing their part to make sure U. S. soldiers stationed around the world get their share of the annual treat through “Operation: Taste of Home.”
They began sending cookies to the soldiers in 2004 through the Hugs for Soldiers Organization.
Angie Doerlich, founder of the organization said the cookies go to troops in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany and Kuwait.
“All the cookies donated today will be boxed up and sent to the soldiers to make sure all the troops get that little touch of home,” said Doerlich.
The soldiers who receive the cookies are part of the Adopt-A-Soldier Program.
Sandy Barber, a service unit director for the Duluth area said the girls are excited to participate in the program because they know they’re doing it for a good cause.
Catherine Dirksen and Jessie Lowe attend Parsons Elementary School and are both members of Troop 1112 taking part in “Operation: Taste of Home.”
Catherine said she is proud to be a part of the mission this year.
“Everyone deserves a treat sometimes, and they really deserve it because they are fighting for our country,” she said.
But selling cookies this year was no piece of cake.
“With the economy right now people don’t want to buy as many cookies as they used to,” she said.
Jessie said people set aside a certain amount to buy cookies and stayed within the budget.
Melissa Coleman attends Chattahoochee Elementary and is a member of Troop 1941. She said she likes the part after selling all the cookies when they receive their patches.
“This year is the super patch,” said Coleman.
She described it as a half diamond with an elephant.
“It’s really cool,” said Coleman.
For information about the Hugs for Soldiers organization, visit their Web site at www.hugsforsoldiers.org.
A COOKIE BREAK -- Service project sends boxes of treats to soldiers
Gwinnett Daily Post
by Jamie Ward, Staff Writer
April 11, 2009
DULUTH - Eight-year-old Melissa Coleman, a three-year Girl Scout member, said it best. When soldiers are off fighting in a war, she said, the last thing they have time to think about is cookies.
So with no cookie time for the fighting troops, another set of troops is making sure that when those soldiers do have a free minute the cookies will be there waiting for them.
That's the logic behind the service project program created by the nonprofit Hugs for Soldiers group. It's entitled "Operation: Taste of Home," and by partnering with the Duluth Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, the program gets 550 girls from 57 different girl scout troops to box-up donated boxes of Girl Scout cookies to be sent to American soldiers serving overseas.
This year the effort consisted of collecting and packaging about 2,300 boxes of girl scout cookies.
According to troop leader Pamela Nye, who is also Coleman's mother, the Hugs for Soldiers program was a perfect fit for local girl scouts.
"It seems like participation in this program has been increasing the last few years and the national girl scout office encourages local service projects," Nye said. "And my girls have a stronger connection to it because we sent cookies to my brother in Iraq a few years ago when he was serving there."
Nye's other daughter Sarah, age 6, also participated in the effort.
According to the founder of Hugs for Soldiers, Angie Doerlich, the soldiers serving overseas are often in stressful situations. When they receive a box of cookies from home, it sends a message to the troops that America is thinking of them and their safe return.
Doerlich said the Hugs for Soldiers program is now in its sixth year of operation and she thanked the girl scouts for their continued participation. She also said Girl Scout cookies are consistently one of the most requested items by soldiers serving overseas.
That made sense to Coleman.
"I think everybody in the world likes Thin Mints," she said.
For more information or to donate to Hugs for Soldiers, visit www.hugsforsoldiers.org.
For more information on the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, visit www.girlscoutsgreateratlanta.org.
You look forward to them all year long. There’s just nothing like the taste of TagaLongs, Samoas, and Thin Mints. And then the time comes and there’s a knock on your door – it’s a Girl Scout and you realize it’s Girl Scout cookie time.
