Girl Scouts Sale Program Helps the Military

Girl Scouts are known for selling their popular cookies, and now are venturing into other areas. The Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois have kicked off a Fall Product Program that gives the public a chance to buy snacks and magazines for members of the military while helping raise funds to support local Girl Scouts.

Also new this year, is the Creative Funding Opportunity (CFO) Program. Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 6-12) have the chance to connect with local business owners and explore various careers by offering businesses an online means to purchase quality items for corporate gift giving.

For the Fall Product Program, Girl Scouts will take orders for gourmet food items and magazines Oct. 14-28.

New products include are chocolate covered pretzels in a schoolhouse tin (perfect for teachers), blueberry pomegranate nut crunch, mint treasures, Zen crunch mix (wasabi peas, sesame sticks and various nuts) and sugar-free chocolate truffles. Returning favorites are caramel treasures (in a suitcase tin to celebrate Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary in 2012), chocolate-covered raisins, malted milk balls, deluxe pecan clusters and peanut butter dreams. There are salty nut items such as whole cashews, honey-roasted peanuts along with chocolate-covered almonds and peanuts. There is also a sweet fruit slice assortment and the combo three-pack of cashews, peanuts and wasabi almonds. Products may be viewed online at girlscoutsni.org/fall_product_line.html.

Products cost $5-$10.

To order, ask a local Girl Scout or send an email to info@girlscoutsni.org.

About the Fall Product Program

The Fall Product Program is instrumental in helping girls develop five key skills:

• Goal setting
• Decision making
• Money management
• People skills
• Business ethics

While the Fall Product Program is not as well known as the Girl Scout Cookie Program, it is just as important to the Girl Scout organization, according to a press release from the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Both programs teach girls important skills and help them earn money for troop activities. The proceeds from the Fall Products Program help troops to fund activities and service projects that begin long before the winter Girl Scout Cookie Program. Girl Scout product programs differ from traditional fundraisers by encouraging girls to work together to decide how to spend troop funds.

About Gift of Caring

Any community member may energize and encourage members of the military through GSNI’s Gift of Caring Program. A $5 donation purchases one candy/nut item and four $5 donations purchases one subscription to a magazine. All candy, nuts and magazine subscriptions are ordered virtually and donated directly to the military. Each donation will be accompanied by a girl’s personal thank-you note or drawing.

About Creative Funding Opportunity (CFO) Program

The CFO Program is designed specifically for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 6-12) who participate in the Fall Product Program. It allows girls to hone their communications skills by connecting with local businesses. This direct contact not only offers businesses an online means to purchase quality products for corporate gift giving but opens up career exploration opportunities for girls. The CFO Program offers a deluxe line of products in elegant tins and cut glass jars. Product previews are available at ashdonfarmscfo.com. All items are ordered online with credit for the purchase going to the girl or troop participating in the CFO Program. 

About Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois serves more 20,000 girls and nearly 6,000 adult volunteers in parts or all of a number of counties, including Cook, DuPage and Kane. To find out how to become part of the Girl Scout leadership experience, call 800-242-5591 or visit girlscoutsni.org.