Girl Scouts of the United States of America Troop 30063 Leader Rita Kehl, along with the help of Girl Scout Daisies, donated 60 boxes of Girl Scout cookies on April 6 to the American Legion with the commander from the VFW Post 2782 and the commander of the American Legion Post 189, plus a few members. (Photo by Rita Kehl)

GREENE — Girl Scouts of the United States of America Troop 30063 donated a total of 100 girl scout cookies on April 2 and April 6 to local veterans at the Oxford Veterans Home and to the American Legion Post 189 and VFW Post 2782.

Girl Scout Troop Leader Rita Kehl said, “A generous donation of $500 was sent in to purchase 100 boxes of girl scout cookies. The anonymous donor wanted to do something nice for the local veterans in the area, spreading joy to as many vets as possible. To make this happen, I reached out to some friends to help put this together.”

Daisy Troop 30063, led by Kehl, divided up the cookies and delivered 40 boxes to the vets home, 30 boxes to the American Legion, and 30 boxes to VFW Post 2782.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our girls in the troop to learn early to always be grateful for what we have and give when possible,” Kehl said.

“When we delivered the cookies to the vets home in Oxford, we were able to meet and speak with one veteran and told him we hope he will enjoy the cookies. His response was 'Don't you worry, we will. Thank you little ladies,'” Kehl added.

Kehl said the American Legion Post 189 and the VFW Post 2782 were thankful and appreciative of the troop donations and of the donor, and a couple of vets donated in return to the Daisy Troop.

“I hope this will remind our community to be thankful and grateful for all of the wonderful vets, and when you see them in stores or walk past them on the sidewalk, a simple thank you can go a long way,” Kehl said.

Kehl explained she became a Girl Scout leader in January when her daughter brought home a flyer from school, showing interest in joining. After researching the local area and realizing there wasn't a troop in her daughters age group, Kehl decided she would sign up and started the new troop.

“I feel that Girl Scouts is a great way for our youth to learn about a broader range of skills, relationships, and experiences, bringing them out of their shells, teaching them the power of friendship, and to be confident in themselves while learning positive values,” said Kehl.

Currently there are 13 Daisies in Troop 30063. The age range of Daisies is based on school grade level. Daisies are kindergarten to first grade. After graduation they can become Brownies, which is second to third grade, and if they continue in Girl Scouts, they can advance to Juniors, Cadette, Seniors, and Ambassadors.

Girl Scouts bring dreams to reality with young girls working together alongside trusted adult volunteers and mentors as they build a better world. Girls of all backgrounds and abilities can be themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges.

Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them and the world in which they live.

Girl Scout Troop 30063 meets bi-weekly on Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. For further information or to sign up please contact swiftr1994@gmail.com.