Media Releases

Operation Taste of Home supports Armed Forces
Program now accepted donated boxes of cookies to send to soldiers overseas

Media Contact:
Melissa G. Cox
302-456-7170
mcox@cbgsc.org

For Immediate Release
Date:    January 31, 2008

Newark, DE – In 2003, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council was flooded with inquiries from the community and Girl Scout troops about how they could help make a difference for armed forces stationed overseas.  Community service is a hallmark of Girl Scouting, so in response, Operation Taste of Home was born.

Now through March 2, 2008, people may donate boxes of Girl Scout cookies to send overseas to brave men and women in uniform by calling
1-800-YUM-YUM-2.  Since the inception of the program in 2003, the generosity of the public has been overwhelming—over 130,000 boxes of
Girl Scout cookies have been donated to the USO for the American
Armed Forces.

In a letter sent to the Girl Scouts, Frank Reuter, Master Sergeant of the United States Army, expressed his gratitude for receiving donated boxes of Girl Scout cookies while stationed in Afghanistan:

“Thank you very much for the cookies that were sent because of your efforts,” he wrote to Girl Scouts across the Delmarva Peninsula.  “Everybody here in Afghanistan always enjoys a taste of home.  We are grateful for all of your hard work and dedication.”

Melissa Cox, Director of Communications and Advocacy for the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council, explained that Operation Taste of Home not only helps soldiers overseas, but it also supports local Girl Scout troops by funding important programs for girls living in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia.

“Donating cookies to soldiers through Operation Taste of Home is a fun and easy way to support both the troops overseas and Girl Scout troops here on the home front,” Cox said.

Those would like to donate cookies to American soldiers through Operation Taste of Home can call the Cookie Hotline at 1-800-YUM-YUM-2, or visit one of the many cookie booth sales across the peninsula, happening February 8 through March 2.  For more information, visit the Operation Taste of Home webpage.

A leading advocate for and expert on girls, the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay builds girls of courage, confidence and character by providing personal leadership development and programs that teach skills for the real world.  To learn more about Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council, visit www.GSCB.org or call 1-800-341-4007.

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