Photo by Francine TuckerMembers of Girl Scout Troop 900 in Leander surpassed their goal in February for their fourth annual Cookies 4 Kids gift bags project, program coordinator Francine Tucker said.
"This year we surpassed [our goal] by 83 [gift bags], because we were at 200 for our goal," Tucker said.
The 283 bags include a box of Girl Scout Cookies, a homemade Valentine's card and a stuffed animal. With help from Scout leaders and parents, 15 of the 23 Girl Scouts gathered for a Feb. 8 packing party, then distributed the bags to Central Texas organizations, Tucker said.
"The girls were able to get 283 boxes of cookies sponsored," she said. "We were able to get the stuffed animals also donated by various individuals throughout the community."
Scouts took the gifts to The Salvation Army of Austin, Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock, The Caring Place in Georgetown, the Austin Children's Shelter, and the Children's Advocacy Centers of Travis and Tom Green counties—more distribution than the project had last year, Tucker said.
"The girls take their own stuffed animals, so they're giving back as well," she said. "And of course they're promoting their cookie sales and business through helping others."
Girl Scouts started the project as kindergarteners in 2011 when they had the idea to give stuffed animals to children in foster care or emergency crisis shelters, Tucker said. By the next year they had added boxes of Girl Scout cookies, thanks to help from community sponsors.
"Next year the girls are going to be 10 and we're going to give them the reins and have them contact the people," Tucker said.
Troop 900 is based in Crystal Falls and is led by Ellen Deckinga and Sherry Ousley, she said.
"It's that connection to something that makes someone feel secure and loved," Tucker said. "We never know if that particular 'lovey' that we give away is that lovey that's going to help a child feel secure in their home."
