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A local Girl Scout troop recently delivered Hometown Heroes (HTH) packages to the Demopolis Police and Fire Departments, Black Warrior Electric, and Alabama Power lineman. Girl Scout Troop 40282 gave out the cookie packages last Wednesday, April 22.

The Hometown Heroes program was created so girls would have the opportunity to learn philanthropy and community service through the cookie program. Troops choose a group/organization to receive donated cookies. Recipients can be “heroes” in the community, such as non-profit organizations, shelters, firefighters, local military groups, blood banks, or food banks.

The Demopolis troop chose the police and fire departments as their HTH because of their dedication to serving the community.

“These girls just wanted to say thank you to the first responders for serving their community every day and protecting them,” said troop co-leader Tara Schmidt. A lot of the police officers are resource officers at the schools too, so the girls see them on a daily basis. And that’s why they chose the police and firefighters as their Hometown Heroes this year.”

 

Schmidt said the troop was very excited to have the opportunity to interact with police officers and firefighters.

“It was a special opportunity to see fire trucks and police cars up close and learn about the departments,” said Schmidt. “They also got to see the officers and firefighters appreciate them for delivering the cookies to them. The guys were also able to see the appreciation from the girls for everything they do.”

The troop sold over 7,500 boxes of cookies this year and made over $30,000 in sales. The majority of the money went towards the troop’s community service projects throughout the year.

An upcoming project for the Girl Scouts is getting a traffic light installed at the intersection in front of Boone’s Pharmacy and the Dollar Tree on Hwy. 80. Girl Scout Ambassador Anna Rios is working with a troop mom on her Gold Award. The award is centered around gathering signatures to get the city and the state to approve putting a light at the intersection to reduce congestion and increase safety. The project is currently in the research stage.

As for the girls in the troop, they are working towards their community service awards. They are in the beginning phases and are brainstorming ideas for the projects.

Schmidt said that the troop has openings if parents want to involve their daughters in the Girl Scouts. Parents can visit https://www.girlscoutsnca.org/ for information on how to join.