As the winter weather begins to fade, and we see the first few blooms of new life, most people can collectively agree that the best season is upon us. No, not spring, but Girl Scout cookie season.
Troop 2099, consisting of Juniors (fourth graders) and Brownies (third graders) from Palm Valley Academy, recently launched the start of their cookie sales to the Ponte Vedra and Nocatee communities.
This year they chose to advocate for local nonprofit Fostering Connections St. Johns, an organization that provides support for foster parents and children in foster care through fundraising and volunteerism. The organization is currently offering assistance to more than 50 children between the ages of 5-12 and more than 40 children between the ages of 13-17.
Jessica Carbee, leader of Troop 2099, said this is not the first time they have worked with Fostering Connections. In a previous fundraising effort, Troop 2099 helped donate backpacks full of school supplies for children in the organization. With this year’s sales of cookies, Troop 2099 will be able to assemble art and cookie kits for both the younger and older children at Fostering Connections.
Last weekend, Carbee and some members of Troop 2099 rode around the Nocatee community on golf carts as part of their “mega-drop” of the cookie season.
“It gives the girls a chance to engage with the community and sell cookies,” said Laura Gainor, a Ponte Vedra resident and Girl Scout mom. “Girl Scouts provides the opportunity for our children to teach others how to give back and feel rewarded for the experience of helping those in need in our community.”
The money raised from cookie sales not only goes towards supporting Fostering Connections, but also goes towards supporting the girls’ community charity efforts, such as the installation of a Little Library or the purchase or travel costs for the troop.
Troop 2099 will be set up at Pelican’s SnoBalls on Valentine’s Day selling cookies until 2 p.m. To support Troop 2099, go to http://bit.ly/Troop2099.
