In the back, left to right is Misty Sadberry Troop Leader, Annette Toney Membership Manager for Girl Scouts, Courtney Thayer, Kristen Toney; in the front is Rylee Reyes and Ellena Bertaloni. The check was for $96.00.Sun Loan teamed up with Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest troop 54323 to send cookies to our soldiers overseas. Courtney Thayer Branch Manager with the Sun Loan company decided that for every person that came in to have their taxes done from Feb. 1 to Feb.14 they would purchase 1 box of cookies for our soldiers. Cookies are still for sale until the 11th of March for only $4.00 a box. Girl Scout Cookies offer more than just a mid-winter pick-me-up. All the proceeds from cookies which have zero trans-fat per serving, stay local to benefit local Girl Scouts. The sale of cookies by Girl Scouts had humble beginnings, born as a way for troops to finance activities. The first known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts occurred in 1917, when a troop in Oklahoma, baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project. As the Girl Scout Cookie Program developed and evolved, it not only became a vehicle for teaching five essential skills — goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics — it also enabled collaboration and integration, as early as the 1950s, among girls and troops of diverse backgrounds, as they worked together toward common goals. This is a great opportunity for girls to raise money for fun events, educational activities and community projects, but also plays a huge role in guiding our girls to discover their capabilities as future leaders of tomorrow. Today, nearly 1 million Girl Scouts participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, generating nearly $800 million in cookie sales during the average season. All of the net revenue raised through the Girl Scout Cookie Program — 100 percent of it — stays with the local GSDSW council and troops. With over 50 million households purchasing cookies every season, the irresistible treats can be found nationwide and will hold a beloved place in American history for years to come, continuing to help girls take the lead and, ultimately, change the world. For more information on Girl Scouts please call Annette Toney, Membership Manager at 538-2481.