Everyone in my neighborhood knows I buy Girl Scout cookies from any young lady who knocks on my door or has a table set up outside the supermarket. They don’t even have to ask — I gravitate straight to them. Because I’m on a mission.

This year, I bought more than a dozen boxes of cookies, but I’m happy to say I did not gain a pound! Because I did not eat any of them. Zero. None. Was I tempted to try the new S’mores flavor? Goodness, yes! Did I want to bring Samoas home for my kids? Uh-huh! But no one in my household ate a single cookie, because I asked each Girl Scout to please pick out her favorite type and send them directly to the troops.

I don’t know when the Girl Scouts started this program, but I am so grateful it is still around. I remember when my son was deployed to Iraq, how much I wanted to send a part of home to him. What could be more American than Girl Scout cookies? (Apple pie wasn’t going to survive USPS transport). We tend to think of the troops at the holidays, which is wonderful because it is probably the most difficult time of the year to be away from family. We do our patriotic duty and think of them on the 4th of July. But what do we do for them in between?

Girl Scout cookie season is over, but you can still do your part to make a service member’s day just a little bit brighter. The VFW Hall in Redmond sends packages to U.S. troops on the front line. How do they do this? Strictly with volunteers. Who do they need to keep making this possible? YOU!

To donate your time at a local Fred Meyer collection site, email: kjjkenny@aol.com

To donate financially, please write your check out and mail it to:

Lake Washington Post 2995

4330 148th Ave. N.E.

Redmond, WA 98052

In the memo line, write “Troop Support.”

Please consider thanking an active duty member today and throughout the year!

Cassandra Sage

Kirkland