A Sweet Gift for Families at Our Shelter

“It is my hope that each box of cookies purchased by a caring person helps the person who donated feel like they are making a difference and in return the families at Carol’s House feel that they are thought about by someone who thinks they are important.”

A note from ILana, CRC supporter and local Girl Scout:

“I have been a Girl Scout since I was in Kindergarten, almost ten years. While in Girl Scouts, I have learned how to run a business, manage money and it has reinforced the importance of helping others.

Over the years, our troop has given donations from the money that we earn by selling cookies to help all types of charities. Selling cookies is how troops earn money to buy patches, supplies, plan trips and give back. This is how I got the idea to combine charitable giving and Girl Scout Cookies.

While selling cookies, we give people the opportunity to donate boxes of cookies to the Military … Why not also give them the opportunity to buy cookies for the families staying at Carol’s House [CRC’s domestic violence shelter]?

Each year, the amount of cookies that my customers have bought for Carol’s House has increased. This year even with the pandemic, it was the biggest ever! My customers generously bought a total of 80 boxes for Carol’s House families! It is my hope that each box of cookies purchased by a caring person helps the person who donated feel like they are making a difference and in return the families at Carol’s House feel that they are thought about by someone who thinks they are important.

I have recently bridged to becoming a Senior Girl Scout. In the next three years of high school, I plan to continue to bring cookies to Carol’s House on behalf of my caring and loyal cookie customers. I am planning to pass this program on to a younger Girl Scout so she can keep the mission going. I also hope that this helps others to realize that a small act of kindness of buying a box of cookies for someone in need can make a big impact.”

A note from ILana’s mom, Yvette:

“We are so proud of ILana for stepping outside of herself to figure out ways to help others. When people hear about all the to charitable giving that ILana has done over the years, from donating her hair to providing wigs for kids with hair loss to giving her cookie customers an opportunity to buy cookies for those staying at Carol’s House, they always praise my husband and myself for the way we raised ILana. We can’t take all the credit. ILana has always been so thoughtful, kind and empathetic. Helping others is an important part of who she is. She came out that way. We have just done our best to help nurture and support these characteristics.”