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A Box Full of Appreciation

  • Published
  • By by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Ballard
  • 145th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
06/09/2018 – CHARLOTTE, N.C. – --  Girl Scouts from Troop 20436 of Denver, N.C., spent their morning handing out Girl Scout cookies to members of the North Carolina Air National Guard for the fifth year in a row. This event allows Troop 20436 to show appreciation for military members through their famous cookies.

“They appreciate what we do and the sacrifices that we make and our families make. This is a token of their appreciation,” said Airmen 1st Class Stephanie Ford, 145th Operations Support Squadron.

Seven Girl Scouts from Troop 20436 handed out 600 boxes of cookies during their time at the base. This is part of a council-wide service project, called Operation Sweet Treat, where Girl Scouts collect cookies to give to U.S. military members serving in the United States and deployed overseas.

“This gives our girls the opportunity to really tell our military thank you and shake their hand, which is more meaningful to our group,” said Lisa File, Girl Scouts Troop leader.

File also said, “It teaches our Girls Scouts to have respect for our military and for the men and women serving. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”

The mission of the Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. This is reflected in the actions of the Girl Scouts as they volunteered their time to serve military members today and throughout the year.

“It makes me feel special to be here today because I want to be in the military when I grow up,” said Alex Kresge, Girl Scout. Kresge received a gift card for selling the most cookies and donated it to the Wounded Warrior Foundation to show her continued support and appreciation.

Members of the 145th Airlift Wing were excited about the cookies and could stop by to pick out their favorite box. Airmen expressed sincere gratitude towards the Girl Scouts handing them out.

“Giving out free cookies is really nice and it shows the support they have for us,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Gutierrez, 145 Medical Group, and former Girl Scout. “Girls Scouts get trips from selling cookies, and the fact they are willing to sacrifice that to support the military is honorable.”