It’s more than a box of cookies. It’s a comforting and sweet taste of home that boost spirits and gives hope to those serving our country!

For the last 12 years, Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines has supported military men and women that could be stationed far from home through Operation Cookie Drop, a council-wide community service project that donates Girl Scout Cookies to our troops.

More than 900,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies have been donated since the start of the annual service project in 2006. Girls across central and eastern North Carolina receive donations through their local cookie sales – giving customers the opportunity to not only purchase America’s favorite cookie for themselves, but to also send a box (or more) to military personnel who appreciate a sweet reminder of home.

Local Girl Scouts donated and delivered Girl Scout Cookies to military personnel worldwide including U.S. Marine installation Cherry Point in Havelock, U.S. Army installation Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NCPacks4Patriots in Ayden, USO of North Carolina at RDU Center, and the USO of NC, Jacksonville Center.

Through the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie program, girls collected donations for Operation Cookie Drop during Walkabout Week as well as during booth sales by using donation jars for spare change and creating fun posters and signs talking about this community service project to get the word out. 

This year, girls delivered 1,400 cases of Girl Scout Cookies to Cherry Point, 1,700 cases to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, 1,868 cases to NCPacks4Patriots, 505 cases to USO in Jacksonville, 2,537 cases to Fort Bragg, and 260 cases to the USO at RDU.

Operation Cookie Drop represents more than just a sweet treat. The service project aims to show support, kindness, and hope to those serving our country.

“Girl Scout Cookies are a true reminder of our childhood. Everyone remembers selling cookies, helping your sister sell cookies, watching your mom and dad loading cookies, and helping with sales”, said Barbara Whitehead, director of NCPacks4Patriots, a local organization that supports military troops and families. “When you are far away from home, living in harsh conditions, even a small taste of home can help boost your morale.”

Girls who participate in Operation Cookie Drop deliveries experience first-hand how their hard work during the Cookie Program directly impacts military men and women and their families and see that one box of cookies can mean so much to those serving our county.

For information learn more on Operation Cookie Drop, visit our website at nccoastalpines.org.