Rusk/Alto Girl Scout Troop 139 does it again
Local scouts send cookies to soldiers in Iraq as part of the 'Troop-to-Troop' program
BY JEREME HUBBARD

PHOTO: SHEILAH O'HEANEY Members of the Rusk/Alto Girl Scout Troop 139 ship 132 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to soldiers in Iraq as part of the Girl Scouts' Troop-to-Troop program. Girl Scouts from left are: Loren Gohlston, Paula Ross, Elizabeth Ross, Leigh Anne Wood and Morgan Goff.

One of the most well known fundraisers in East Texas has always been the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Troop 139 in Rusk is using that awareness to brighten the lives of soldiers in Iraq.

"They don't have a lot to do over there," said troop member Moira Debbs. "Most of the soldiers don't get to have much fun. One of the soldiers just has a laptop and that's it."

The troop members are trying to encourage the soldiers by sending them boxes of Girl Scout cookies. This year, the troop is sending 132 boxes of cookies to Iraq. This marks the third year that the troop has shipped cookies to Iraq, and the project has grown each year. In 2006, the scouts shipped three dozen boxes to Iraq, and in 2007 the number jumped to 100.

"Most troops use the Northeast Texas Council of Girl Scouts USA for this project, but we have decided to do it on our own. That involves us finding a contact person, selling the cookies and then shipping them ourselves," says troop leader Sheilah O'Heaney. "A lot of the Council members have wondered how we've been able to do this on our own." This year, the troop found Sgt. Robert Delaney, whose wife is a Rusk State Hospital employee, to be their contact person, responsible for receiving the cookies and distributing them to soldiers. The troop attempts each year to have the recipient be someone from the area. Two years ago, they shipped them to a family member of two of the troop members and last year they shipped the cookies to a battalion where the son of a local resident was stationed.

The cookies shipped to Iraq are not completely paid for by the troop. Many people in the area have either donated money to the project, or have bought cookies and then donated them to the project. The troop has raised $570 for the cookies shipping to Iraq as well as the cookies they are donating to the Good Samaritan. The other cost of the project is the cost of shipping. The shipping charges vary, but it is around one dollar per box to ship.

This cost was paid for by the troop the first year of the project. The second year, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the VFW showed their support of the troops' project by donating the cost of the shipping charges. Creative Graphics in Jacksonville helped the troop by donating the shipping cartons that were used.

This year the troop decided to raise the money for shipping at their cookie booths. Not only did they raise enough money for the shipping, they also were able to fill up four shipping cartons with cookies. Once again, Creative Graphics donated the shipping cartons.

Last year, in return for their cookies, the battalion sent the troop an American flag that had been flown over their Iraq headquarters. It is now the official troop flag. The battalion they donated to last year arrived home just before Christmas and this years' recipients are due home in late spring. The girls understand that their project not only is uplifting for troops, but is also a learning experience for them as well.

"I wanted to help out because it was a fun project for us to do, and it helps us learn about giving to charity," said troop member Morgan Goff.

Girl Scout Troop 139 consists of 12 members, and is part of the Northeast Texas Council of Girl Scouts USA. They are "juniors" which includes girls in grades 3-6. This is the troop's fifth year of existence.