Norfolk Girl Scouts Donate Cookies to Fire Department

For years, Girl Scouts across the country have used Girl Scout Cookies to show their appreciation for men and women who serve the community. All winter long, members of Girl Scout Troop 5034 worked diligently to ask their cookie customers to purchase extra cookies for the Girl Scouts to donate to their hometown heroes—members of the Norfolk fire and rescue department. On Saturday, April 11, members of the troop visited Norfolk Fire Station 14, where they hosted a cookies and milk reception for the first responders there, presented them with a thank you card to show their appreciation for the work they do in the community and donated the cookies they had collected.

Haley, Alexis, Rhilee, Rhianna and Mackenzie from Girl Scout Troop 5034 at Norfolk Fire Station 14

This community service project was inspired by Girl Scout Junior Mackenzie, a member of Troop 5034 who wanted to find a way to recognize citizens that perform an important service in the community. Mackenzie lead her troop in the decision to recognize the fire and rescue workers in Norfolk, and all of the girls worked together to collect cookie donations.

“Mackenzie made the observation that there are numerous people in the community that serve others with little or no recognition or thanks,” Girl Scout Troop 5034 Leader Rita Estrada said. “The girls chose to donate to Fire Station 14 because it is located in our community and one of the largest Norfolk fire stations with more emergency response vehicles, equipment and personnel.”

This community service project is part of the process for the members of the troop to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which is the third highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting, and the highest award earned by Girl Scouts in elementary school.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world’s largest girl-led business and the nation’s leading financial literacy and entrepreneurial program for girls. Through the program, girls learn skills that will last them a lifetime, such as goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.