I have learned so much about the Girl Scouts, especially Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. The organization honored me as one of the Women of Distinction Honorees along with nine other women in the area.

Background of Girl Scouts

Juliette Gordon Low—also known by her nickname “Daisy”—started Girl Scouts in 1912 in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. The first troop was made up of 18 girls who all shared a sense of curiosity and a belief they could do anything.

Think about it. In 1912, women in the United States could not yet vote and were expected to stick to strict social norms, encouraging girls to embrace their unique strengths and create their own opportunities was game-changing. That small gathering of girls, more than 100 years ago, ignited a movement across America where every girl could unlock her full potential, find lifelong friends, and make the world a better place.

Those Delicious Cookies

In 1917, Girl Scout Cookies were originally home baked by girl members with moms volunteering as technical advisers. The sale of cookies to finance troop activities began five years after Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouts in the United States. The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project.

Throughout the next decade, Girl Scouts in different parts of the country continued to bake their own simple sugar cookies with their mothers and with help from the community. These cookies were packaged in wax paper bags, sealed with a sticker, and sold door-to-door for 25 to 35 cents per dozen.

We know now the prices are $5 a box and there are more varieties than the three offered in the 1930s. I forgot they are all kosher. A few years ago, I made the decision to buy Girl Scout cookies. This year I purchased a record 1,032 boxes from 86 Scouts from around the country. I put the word out on Facebook and moms (mostly) send me a link to order. Since I personally buy them the first year I had them delivered to my house, but that took up most of the foyer. The following years, I just took the time to use separate “bill to” and “deliver to” addresses.

The Scouts I support have slipped in thank you cards in the boxes, and I always feel a little closer to them. I love the badge they earned for participating in this project and I must admit John Chames, my husband, buys his own stash when he sees them at the grocery store. [He doesn’t get the cookies I buy.]

This year I have donated ALL the cookies to the Good Samaritans Food Bank program at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron. Good Samaritans provides food to those in our community who are unable to feed their families. Cookies are a great treat to those who truly must watch how money is spent.

I cannot put this much time to multiple service groups. I am proud of this service project that I do for our Scouts. I call these Scouts “future interns” at State and Federal Communications. Starting girls early with the Girl Scouts is a great leadership program. It helped many women we know—Senator Hillary Clinton, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, and Venus Williams to name just some.

Until next month think how you can be a great part of your community and in 2024 when you see the Girl Scouts at various plazas, please know your $5 contribution helps them with their leadership badge.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, decided to increase her support for the Girl Scouts in 2021. In this Great Cookie Caper, Bartz bought 650 boxes of assorted Girl Scout cookies. She helped 65 Girl Scouts in the process! “I love helping the Girl Scouts and I didn’t eat a single cookie!” said Bartz.

So, what do you do with 650 boxes of cookies? Always thinking about corporate social responsibility, Bartz decided to give them to Stewart’s Caring Place and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Stewart’s Caring Place helps cancer patients and their families. These treats will go a long way to spread some happiness.

The Foodbank is the heroic organization aiming to stamp out hunger in our community. Dan Flowers of the Foodbank said we often do not realize just how much having a little sweet treat can make someone’s day.

Elizabeth Bartz and staff from State and Federal Communications had fun delivering this mountain of cookies. Bon appétit, everyone!

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, decided 2020 was the year she would buy Girl Scout Cookies from anyone who asked. Yes, anyone who asked!

The result was Bartz bought 400 boxes of assorted Girl Scout Cookies. She bought from scouts in Ohio, Virginia, and Arizona. “I bought way too many cookies!” said Bartz.

So, what do you do with 400 boxes of cookies? Always thinking about corporate social responsibility, Bartz decided to give them to an organization. She posted on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn that she was giving away cookies to a worthy group.

Kara O’Neill (wife to WKDD’s Keith Kennedy) contacted Jaclyn Flossie from Red Oak Behavioral Health in Akron and said this was a perfect fit for them. The Red Oak team was the first to respond. They are a non-profit mental health agency serving the greater Akron community since 1963. They provide professional therapeutic and community support services for children, youth, families, and older adults.

Elizabeth Bartz and staff from State and Federal Communications had fun delivering them today. Bon appétit, everyone!