Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2008 > March > 18 > Entry
Girl Scouts treat soldiers to cookies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Karen Harper, troop leader and cookie chairwoman for Girl Scout Troop No. 1031, e-mailed the other day with a question that stumped me.
Her pack collected Girl Scout cookies to send to U.S. troops in Iraq. They had to figure out a way to get them there.
“Do you know of anyone we can contact that would help us get these cookies to some well-deserving Americans?” she wrote.
I suggested she contact an American Legion Post. As expected, the veterans found a way.
You may remember a miserably cold Saturday a few weeks back. March 8, I think. We even got a little snow.
Well, the girls of Troop 1031 braved the elements in two booths - one set up outside the Embry Hills Kroger off Chamblee-Tucker Road, the other at a Kroger near Five-Forks Trickum and Rockbridge roads.
Harper’s daughters, Elizabeth, 11, and Katherine, 10, worked the Embry Hills booth for two hours. Then they joined scouts Rachel Samaras and Olivia Dunahoo, both 11, at the other location.
“They stayed till 3 o’clock,” Harper told me. “It was freezing.”
The troop had pre-sold 80 cases of cookies and ordered another 30 for booth sales to the public. The girls decided that, when they manned the booths, they’d ask customers if they cared to donate a few boxes for the soldiers. A lot of customers didn’t buy cookies for themselves. They bought them for the charity.
“When we were at Embry Hills, one lady who bought cookies gave us a letter that her grandson had written for the soldiers,” Harper said. “She asked us to include his letter in the boxes we were shipping.”
The drive collected about 300 boxes of cookies. Harper was able to find a group to ship half of the bounty - Soldier Connection, a charity of American Legion Post 233 in Loganville. It ships care packages to deployed soldiers.
“We ship 50 boxes of donated items every two weeks,” said Jane Brown, a volunteer who helps with packaging.
The charity was to mail a shipment of cookies Monday. The Girl Scout troop plans to pay for delivery of the remaining boxes. Somewhere in Iraq, a group of soldiers soon will have boxes of Samoas and Thin Mints to munch on. They have the cookie queens of Troop 1031 to thank.
“This is what the girls decided to do,” Harper said, noting that only five girls make up the troop. “It was worth it.”
Found teddy bear
On Monday, Deanne Beesley dropped by my office with a teddy bear. She found it Friday at Medlock Bridge Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Beesley, an executive liaison to the president at Sterling Industries, a home furnishings company, cleaned “Teddy” up. She wants him returned to his rightful owner.
“He’s lost, and he needs to go home,” she told me.
If Teddy’s yours, or you know who it belongs to, give me a call. He’s sitting on my desk.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie





DEL.ICIO.US


Comments
By LT5000
March 18, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Rick, can we get an article on 2 Human smuggling rings busted in Gwinnett within the last month?
How about the immigrant wrong way drivers who have wiped out American citizens in the past couple days.
Just a few suggestions for you.
LT5000
By Katie
March 19, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
I’m a bit bored with the girl scouts, they don’t even sell cookies door to door any more. They all crowd around you when you leave the grocery stores. I will never purchase anything from someone waiting for me outside a grocery, or any other type of store. Also, parents selling girl scout cookies—it’s not your job and I won’t buy them from you either.
I’m with LT on this one…. How about some more important topics…
By SK
March 19, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
Katie - Sorry that Girl Scouts didn’t come to your door. As a 10-year Girl Scout leader, I can tell you that most girls do sell in their neighborhoods but tend to go to people that they know, both for safety and because we got a little tired of having the door slammed in our faces by rude neighbors who couldn’t politely say “No thank you.” Girl Scouts do not expect anyone to buy cookies, but we do offer them to those who wish to, whether at your house, at a booth sale (which is often far less than half of what we sell in the presale door to door), or from an involved parent who is wanting to help out their daughter’s troop. You are free not to buy them, and my girls, at least, will always say “Thank you” whether you do or do not, but as with any situation, please don’t criticize what you don’t understand. If we could all try to be a little tolerant and understanding, the world would sure be a better place. That being said, I agree there are better topics for columns - dozens of Girl Scout troops are sending cookies to soldiers, to fire fighters, to shelters and children’s homes, etc. This is not a new concept, and while the girls’ efforts are laudable, they are just being Girl Scouts by doing what they’re doing. Good for them, but let’s have some more meaningful topics.
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
nice story man.
now be a good boy and write us a little something to discuss/debate. other than feel all warm and fuzzy, we can’t really do much with this one Rick.
last time I gave in and bought some from the kids outside the grocery store, i got the cookies home and they were melted from sitting outside. reckon it was ok though, my butt didn’t need those cookies anyway.
By Inherit America
March 19, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
Rick Badie says more about race relations with this piece than Obama did with his speech. How to solve racism: “Look to the Cookie!” (seinfeld)
By KIM
March 19, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Good column, Mr. Badie. Obviously some people feel your articles are written so they can write opinions. But, I appreciate your writing today because it not only honors those children who are involved in wholesome activities, but also their parents who choose to spend their free time leading the Scouts. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts need willing and high energy leaders. Too many parents choose to opt out saying they are “too busy; work is too demanding, etc.” The children need fantastic adults who are willing to invest in their development. And,…I bought my cookies at my front door from a precious Scout who does not live in my neighborhood. She was going door to door in mine, because her neighbor Scout had beat her to the doors of their own neighborhood and she needed a different marketplace. Smart girl!!!
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Kim, if you’re referring to me, my post wasn’t meant in any way or form as negative, but as friendly and silly banter and apologize to anyone who I offended. It’s usually not my intent to enter another persons blog to insult them.
Plus, as i indicated, I bought the cookies. i can’t remember a year that i haven’t. I support many things, scouts included. but i’m pretty sure that they’re not supposed to go door to door. if it’s familiar and their own neighborhood then i guess that’s different but on the cookie order form it usually says to not go door to door…i think it says that.
and about the people being too busy. it’s true. but remember, we all have a calling. not everyone can do everything. we never know what the next person is doing so don’t be too quick to become discouraged. I’ve made that mistake only to find out that the very people who i thought were selfish, truly give in other ways.
:)
By LT5000
March 19, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Inherit,
If you want to see a piece of shameful Obama-lust read Cynthia Tucker’s column.
Of course, like Badie, she glosses over anything that was said by Jerimiah or the obvious fallacy of Obama’s claim “that he was unaware” of Jermeiah’s Anti-Semitism.
Cynthia even claims he displayed “courage”. The AJC Op-ED staff is pathetic. And that’s being kind.
LT5000
By Mark
March 19, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
How about the AJC hire some white journalists that actually have a journalism degree, instead of the obvious push thrus like Tucker and Badie?
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
uhh uhh, nope not touching that one with a 10 foot pole…
By Bruce Wilcox
March 19, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Mark and LT, why don’t you two contact the AJC? They’re always looking for trained journalists, like Mark, a two sentence column each day you could tell everyone what you know and LT you could offer your deep felt opinions by cutting and pasteing someone else’s which you never fail to do.
Go to it boys, a suggestion for ya’s, Mark those two liners, plan ahead for a week or so, we know how hard it can be coming up with them. LT, get those scissiors and paste ready, and remember, as always, no running.
By LT5000
March 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Bruce,
Unlike you, I back up my opinions with facts. I provide references for facts I provide.
You however, trade on suppositions and outright fallacies.
These skills would move you to the head of the interview line for being an AJC journalist. Your incompetence would guarantee you the job.
However, if that doesn’t pan out, you could always charge for your “services” in the Inserection video booths.
LT5000
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
omg. What in the world are we gonna do with ya’ll? LOL! I’m not going to lie…I come here just to see what ya’ll two say! :)
By Michael H. Smith
March 19, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
The natives are restless. Warm and fuzzy, cookies and milk, the days of innocence are all stripped away. As the throng presses harder, cries louder, give us red meat, gone are the days of innocence!
Poor, poor, stuffed teddy bear…. if only you could bleed, if only you had a soul to tear apart, then everyone would want you.
Kind of sad Mr. Badie, wholesome journalism has no place in demand. What readers really want is a garbage collector who can write.
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
oops sorry…forgot…I come here to see what Michael has to say, too.
sorry for leaving you out Michael…I knew I was forgetting someone.
By Bruce Wilcox
March 19, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
LT you say your opinion is based on fact, I say it’s based on dung, that is the liberty to choose, commonly referred to as an opinion. Cutting and pasteing someone else’s opinion that you agree with does not make it fact.
By LT5000
March 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Cindy,
A new scientific study has been released that shows that not reading Brucie and Mikey’s spewings actually increases IQ.
Unfortunately, they have to live with their musings 24/7. A lobotomy is the only cure.
LT5000
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
:0 :| :0 :|
if that posts correctly, it’s the open mouth/close mouth thing. not even sure what to say at this point…
By LT5000
March 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Uh Bruce. You can’t choose facts. 2+2 can’t equal 5 just because you think it can.
Also the fact you are a moron, it’s inconvertible.
LT5000
By Cindy
March 19, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
If ya’ll have to mean to each other all the time, I guess I don’t want to play any more.
By Bruce Wilcox
March 19, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Cindy have no fear, I promise no more insults. Mr. Smith and I can carry on a intelligent discussion and sometimes it will get heated. As for the others, I will do my besat to ignore.
By Michael H. Smith
March 20, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Hey OOOO LT Jerk-0, give it rest. You don’t have to wear that A$$-hole button everyday of your life.
The man can’t even write a simple decent story without you imbeciles expressing your stupidity or hatred or angst or bigotry.
Did anyone force you to come to this Website or force you to read anything? Did the AJC charge you any money to read their “free content”? Then what’s the problem, there are plenty of places on the Web that cater constantly to your crass juvenile appetite. Need a Internet map to get lost somewhere else in Cyberspace?
By Cindy
March 20, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
ok.
It’s cool to be sassy with each other and all, but not down-right mean and insulting on a personal level. Otherwise, anybody who wants to post on here will always be reluctant so they’re not targeted next.
The forum I frequent is currently going through a rough patch because of the very same thing, which is why I’m spending more of my time with ya’ll…so you can imagine my disappointment when ya’ll headed the same way. Many were either attacking each other, mods went edit crazy, or people were all trying to pervo chat others. LOL. So they started up a pervo site to that elsewhere…problem is that since they left…it’s really slow. I guess they gave the best conversation…go figure.
ok, so what next? hopefully Rick will post us a nice blog today that we can comment on. I think I read where he submits one each Thursday…i think. :)
By LT5000
March 20, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Cindy,
Aww. Poor Brucie and Mikey, I hurt your widdle feelings.
Here’s a hint for you guys, don’t start a fight you can’t win. Sun Tzu.
Of course, proving you guys wrong, isn’t really a challenge. Your consistent ignorance makes it too easy.
Like Badie, the fact you don’t know what your are talking about doesn’t prevent you from speaking.
Better to be thought an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
LT5000
By Cindy
March 20, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
LT5000,
that was to me? :( dang.