Janece Yatsko, troop leader of Brownie Troop 232, and the Brownies of the troop, recently contributed $100 to officials of the Kauai Food Bank, for the food bank’s annual holiday food and fund drive. These funds were derived from the
Janece Yatsko, troop leader of Brownie Troop 232, and the Brownies of the troop, recently contributed $100 to officials of the Kauai Food Bank, for the food bank’s annual holiday food and fund drive.
These funds were derived from the troop’s participation in the annual Girl Scout cookie sale of late 2004 and early 2005.
Efforts at distributing the Girl Scout cookies continued following the delivery of presold cookies as the Girl Scouts manned tables outside of the Safeway Food & Drug store in Kaua‘i Village shopping center in Waipouli during consecutive weekends.
“The girls were very enthusiastic, and enjoyed selling cookies, as well as meeting people who stopped by our booth,” Yatsko said.
The decision to share with the community was made before the first cookies were even sold, as the troop’s “Cookie Mom” (Cookie Manager) Nadine Nakamura held a meeting to discuss setting goals, and the girls decided on a plan for the use of the proceeds earned from the cookie sales.
“The girls wanted some of the money to go to others in need,” Yatsko said.
“They made a list of a few charities that they would have wanted to give to, and then voted. The Kauai Food Bank was the choice for this sale.” During the sale that followed, Mahina McGarry, Cassidy Yatsko, and Casey Nakamura took the lead in sales.
The girls noted that the most popular cookie was the Thin Mints, an easy sale considering the Scouts liked the cookie themselves. Another popular seller was the Tagalongs, they said.
In addition to the contribution to the Kauai Food Bank, which qualified for a matching grant from Larry Bowman and Falko Partners, LLC, since it was presented during the period when Bowman challenged individuals and groups with his matching pledge of up to $20,000, the Brownies have always leaned towards community service.
Yatsko said that, during the Christmas season of 2004, the Brownies collected donations of food that were used to prepare a food basket that was presented to officials at Child & Family Service, to be distributed to a Kaua‘i family in need.
Additionally, the Brownies were involved in helping the McCloskey and Company group members prepare about 6,000 light sticks that were distributed to the public during the annual Lights on Rice holiday parade.
Brownie Troop 232 is made up of 10 girls, including nine third graders and one first grader.
“I am proud of them for choosing to help others and embracing one of the ideals in the Girl Scout Law: to ‘make the world a better place,’” Yatsko said.
For those who placed orders for Girl Scout cookies earlier in the fall, those cookies will be available shortly.
Additionally, for those who were not approached by Girl Scouts, or needing more cookies, booth sales will begin as early as next Friday, Jan. 13.
Stay tuned.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
