What could have been a financial disaster for Grayson County Girl Scouts became a lesson in the generosity of county residents.
In early April, Deranne Lasley, a member of Girl Scout Troop 31, issued a video plea via the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce and later K105.com, asking people to purchase girl scout cookies for donation to Grayson County’s first responders. Girl Scouts ordered the cookies before the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States, and were left with thousands of cookies and seemingly no way to sell them.
Until Grayson County stepped-up to the plate and swatted a grand slam.
“Grayson County Girl Scouts would have had a challenging season selling cookies, instead the girls learned the power of a community,” said one of Troop 31’s overseers, Deanna Lasley. “Many people in the community began donating Girl Scout cookies to emergency workers as a thank you for their service. Once a few people made donations, it seemed like the entire county wanted to donate cookies to healthcare workers, law enforcement, fire departments and nursing homes.”
The overwhelming response of county residents enabled Girl Scouts to sell every cookie they purchased prior to the pandemic.
“It didn’t take very long for this county to help out their Girl Scouts by purchasing every single box of cookies, and show their appreciation and support for essential workers with the donated cookies,” Deanna Lasley said.
The generosity displayed by those who purchased and donated cookies will certainly serve as a life lesson for the young ladies of Grayson County’s Girl Scout Troops. Experiencing, first-hand, how a negative situation can be flipped on its head by a community seemingly always prepared to support a terrific cause through substantial action.
“Grayson County Girl Scouts are learning to be courageous leaders and, with the example set by this community, they are learning to be generous and thoughtful as well,” Deanna Lasley stated proudly. “So many people donated, it would be impossible to name everyone without leaving someone out, but the support and the lesson are much appreciated.”
(Photo of Grayson County Girl Scouts courtesy of Deanna Lasley)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
