ATHENS, Tenn. — McMinn and Meigs County troops serving in Iraq soon will enjoy sweet treats from home — 350 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.
Troops from a 15-county area participate in what’s called Operation Thin Mint, and local troops 168 and 199 sold the most of any group, according to Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council spokeswoman Shannon M. Edmondson. The annual cookie sale ended last week.
She said the cookies should be shipped sometime this week. Local branches of BB&T and Citizens National banks are paying postage, she said.
Co-troop leader Kathleen Clontz said she heard about the idea from her son, Eric, who is serving in Iraq. She also has two daughters in the service.
Mrs. Clontz said the original idea for the cookie shipments came from San Diego. Word apparently got around because Sgt. Clontz wrote his mother that the “troops are screaming for Girl Scout cookies,” and the local effort was born.
Mrs. Clontz said the Scout troops’ 39 girls sold 575 cases of cookies this year, with 12 boxes in a case. She said she heard the Scouts ask buyers if they would like to purchase a box for the troops.
Scout Kayla Martin said her secret was letting her parents take orders at work.
The cookies for the troops are stored in the garage and basement of co-leader Vickie Hall, who said she will be happy to have them all shipped.
She and Mrs. Clontz said their Scouts see the cookie sales as a way to brighten up the lives of U.S. troops serving in Iraq.
