Warrenville Girl Scout Troop donates cookies to healthcare workers
Despite the cancellation of door-to-door sales and cookie booths due to COVID-19, 96 boxes of Girl Scout cookies recently made their way into the hands of area healthcare workers.
Jessica Raymond of Warrenville is a nurse manager at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and her daughter Emery, 6, is a Daisy Girl Scout at Johnson Elementary School in Warrenville. Inspired by the mission of the Girl Scouts, cookies were delivered on behalf of the troop to workers at Marianjoy, including nurses, therapists, physicians and security.
"All of the cookies were donated by family and friends of the Girl Scout troop with the purpose of delivering them to healthcare workers," Jessica said. "The girls decided where they wanted the cookies to go and chose several local hospitals as well as the Warrenville police station."
Christine Kautz, an engagement coach at Marianjoy, wheeled a cart packed with cookies and a thank you card created by the Girl Scouts through the halls to share with staff members. Curious, they inquired what she was doing.
"When I told them about the girls' donation and they saw the pictures of the girls on the card, you could see their hearts melt," Kautz said. "The joy that Girl Scout cookies bring just made it a great experience for the staff."
In return, hospital staff signed a thank you card for the girls and allowed Kautz to take some photos. The card Girl Scouts was a pleasant surprise for the troop.
"My daughter brought both hands up to her mouth in shock and said, 'I can't believe they take care of sick people and thanked me, we were trying to thank them!'" Jessica said.
Serving others is something Jessica highly values, and is instilling those same values in her daughter.
"We have always tried to serve in some way; to give back," Jessica said. "Emery has been brought up knowing that she has to share her mommy because sometimes there are others in greater need than herself."
Acts of service, such as the cookie donation, is helping Emery and her Girl Scout troop feel they are able to help in a positive way. It's something Jessica encourages all parents to help their children do.
"They are young and trying to work through what is going on," she said. "Making them feel as though they matter and can help, that everyone has a role to play makes them feel more in control and teaches them that everyone can be part of the solution."
You can purchase and donate Girl Scout Cookies at www.girlscouts.org.