Macy Casner likes helping people, while Avery Williams likes the different activities they get to do.
Maeleigh Banister also enjoys the fun things they do, and Shalei Brooks said the rewards they get from selling cookies are nice. Alyssa Fields and Jasmine Barger both like selling cookies and also buying some to eat.
These reasons are why I agreed to do the Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout campaign when I received an email about the honor earlier in the summer.
When I first saw an email from the Girl Scouts, I thought maybe I had won some of those famous Girl Scout cookies. I mean, I could use Tagalongs and S’mores cookies any time of year.
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When I realized that wasn’t the case, I considered it an honor that someone thought to nominate me for this honor and put me in the running to win the award.
Over the years, I have covered various Girl Scout events and initiatives. One time, I went to learn about the Girl Scout cookie delivery process and what all it takes to sort out the boxes of cookies and get them to the girls to distribute and sell. Another time, they visited the Seymour Police Department to learn how it operates and even got their fingerprints taken.
On a separate occasion, a troop set up tables outside the police department and invited officers, firefighters and other local first responders to enjoy ice cream sundaes and cookies as a way to thank them for their service.
This year, Troop 1239 participated in the inaugural Girl Scouts in County Government Day, which allowed them to shadow a county government official and learn all about their job. That same troop also won the opportunity to have a limousine ride, lunch and dessert with the chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana because of their cookie sales efforts.
This is just a sampling of the things the five local Girl Scout troops get to do. I know there is so much more, and all of the time spent together is valuable in helping the girls develop a wide range of skills, including interacting with others, working together and learning how things work.
When I went down to the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana office in Louisville, Kentucky, a few weeks ago, I was asked on video why I feel Girl Scouts is important, what’s good about having an organization for girls and what being nominated means to me.
Girl Scouts is important because it gives girls a chance to be a part of an organization where they can find their niche and fit in. It may be something they do in Girl Scouts that helps them discover what they are good at, and the people they meet help them make friends that hopefully will last a lifetime. No matter what, the memories they make in the process can never be taken away from them.
I know from my work with the local troops that it’s a beneficial organization to the girls because they grow not only their skills but in their confidence and knowledge, too.
No matter what they do in life, they will always have the experiences in Girl Scouts to carry with them, help them make the right decisions and be confident in whatever they do.
So if you would, help me raise $1,000 by midnight Oct. 9. That’s the goal for each of the 10 candidates so at least $10,000 can be raised for Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.
One way you can help me is visiting my online fundraising page at p2p.onecause.com/gskmanenough/zach-spicer. Click on “Donate now,” enter your donation amount and feel free to leave a message on why it’s important for you to help Girl Scouts. Any amount — big or small — will go a long way.
Another way to help also will take care of your lunch and/or dinner. On Tuesday, Freddy’s in Seymour will donate 15% of the proceeds of any ticket from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m. if you present one of my fliers or the social media post when you order. Find the flier with this column and on my personal Facebook page.
Yet another way to help is during the Seymour Oktoberfest. Girl Scout Troop 135 received approval from the festival’s board to sell beverages and snacks with the baby contest the troop runs. Starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 5 at the North Stage, the girls will sell Capri Suns, water, juice and snacks and give the earnings toward my Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout campaign.
Finally, people can buy tickets to the Tough Cookie Awards program that goes from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at Louisville Marriott East. The event will include networking, breakfast, a program and awards. The 10 candidates will receive awards, and the fundraising total will be announced. Tickets are $50, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Let me know if you want tickets.
While it would be nice to be the top fundraiser and win an award, that’s not why I’m doing this. I don’t do anything for awards. I do it because I’m passionate about it and feel it’s my duty to give back to and support worthy causes as much as I can.
In my opinion, Girl Scouts is a worthy cause. Help me help Girl Scouts.
Zach Spicer is a staff writer for The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected]