Area Girl Scouts distributed more than 13,000 boxes of cookies in early March. Submitted Photo.

Girls from Ripley Troop No. 20153 are among just a few girls selling cookies this year.

Does 13,272 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sound like a lot? Now imagine unloading them, sorting them, and passing them on to girls from 16 troops in just an hour and a half! That is exactly what happened on March 7 at St. Mary’s Church in Mayville, as the Twin Lakes Service Unit, which consists of Girl Scouts from Chautauqua Lake, Westfield and Ripley school districts, took delivery of their cookies for the season.

These young people worked together to fund their troops’ camping, exploring, and traveling. From a roller skating party to celebrate Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday to learning first aid from local EMTs, the girls are busy year-round, learning life skills and building confidence to become strong women and leaders of the future. Once a year they ask for help to fund their dreams of becoming a citizen scientist, expressing themselves through the arts, and celebrating their communities to become better citizens.

Send a box to a military person. The Twin Lakes Service Unit has already donated 119 boxes through the Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie 4 chapter, and are happy to pass on even more. That taste of home can really make someone’s day as they serve overseas.

For information about joining a troop or volunteering with one, go to GSWNY.org. Adult volunteers and experts are always needed.