4/10/08

Animals benefit from Girl Scout cookie sales  

by Beckye Randall

The Brownie Girls Scouts of Troop 42047 in Marysville have been a team for four years. The third graders have participated in cookie sales each year, but this year the girls decided to put their profits to use in their community.

“We let them decide how to spend their cookie money,” said troop leader Jo Starkenburg. “After paying for the spring and fall camping trips, they had about $1,400 left over.”

After discussing several options, the girls decided they would dedicate about one-third of their proceeds to the Everett Animal Shelter. To make sure their gifts would be appropriate, the troop contacted Hillary at the shelter to find out what their needs were.

“It’s kitten season right now,” said Starkenburg, “and Hillary said the shelter badly needed kitten items like milk replacement formula and a special kitten food that’s quite expensive.”

The Brownies composed a letter to Ray Jones, owner of Jones and Co. Pets, telling him about their plans and asking if he’d be willing to help. Jones responded by offering the girls a 25 percent discount on their purchases for the shelter.

Each girl was given a $20 budget for toys and goodies, and they each bought six cans of formula and three cans of food. Altogether the troop spent $375 on kitten supplies.

On March 26 the Brownies delivered the items to the grateful shelter staff and were treated with a tour of the shelter and an opportunity to visit with the animals.

The troop plans to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life this June. It will be the fourth year the girls have acted as cheerleaders for race participants. They will also partner with KIRO for an annual food drive later in the year.

“In Girls Scouts we focus on bettering our community and helping others,” said Starkenburg. “We’re very pleased that the girls decided to reach out to others when they were able to do so.”

For more information about Girl Scouts, visit www.girlscoutsww.org or call 1-877-822-9435.

Caption: The Girl Scout Brownies of Troop 42047 used proceeds from cookie sales to purchase kitten supplies for the Everett Animal Shelter. Pictured L-R: (front) Harmony DalCielo, Madison Lindahl; (middle) Emily  Swanson, Kaitlyn Samaniego, Chante Lee, Saundra Kirby; (back) Chloe Starkenburg, Janeiah Harris. Not pictured: Kyla Morrison.