Girl Scout cookies are ready to eat

The Spring Girl Scout Cookie Sale began Sat., March 3 and runs through Sun., March 25. Girl Scouts will visit businesses and homes and host cookie booths in front of stores and businesses throughout the tri-county area.

Through the cookie program, girls manage inventory, set goals, learn money management and develop marketing skills. The entire troop sets a goal and follows a plan to achieve it. Troops use funds from the cookie program to fund service projects, learning adventures or trips.

Girl Scouts of Tres Condados is working in partnership with Operation Gratitude to enable members of the community to send Girl Scout cookies in care packages to troops overseas, particularly those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last fall, the Girl Scouts of Tres Condados received donations of more than 13,500 boxes of cookies for Operation Gratitude's Holiday Drive.

Anyone wishing to donate boxes or cases of Girl Scout cookies to troops overseas should contact a local Girl Scout or visit www.gstc.org. Cookie donors can designate a particular Girl Scout or troop, or the donation will go to the Girl Scout troop in their community.

On the Central Coast, the Girl Scouts Council of Tres Condados serves nearly 8,000 girls in Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. For additional information, visit www.girlscouts.org or www.gstc.org.