Girl Scouts are all about giving back. Not only to the community, but also to our country.

This time of year is especially important to them.

“I’m really excited because we’re selling cookies,” Maya Macharola exclaimed.

It’s an all time favorite, Girl Scout cookies. So how do you make them any sweeter? Well, for the second season in a row, one local troop is making sure America’s heroes get some.

“Our girls are our future,” Mandy Mapes told us. “If we teach them to give back the way we were taught, then it will be a much better country.”

For just $4 you can donate a box of cookies for our brave men and women fighting for our country.

“They’re fighting for us so we want to do something for them,” Cammie Krug said.

For some, like Lilly Megahan, it means a little more.

“It means a lot to me because my dad is a veteran and I’m happy that we’re doing this,” she explained.

So as you get your sweet treat, you can also send your support to our heroes overseas.

“They’ll love the s’mores I bet,” Macharola smiled. “They’re just so delish!”

This is part of a national project. Last year more than 45,000 boxes were donated from the United States.

The local troop is hoping to donate 1,000 boxes. You can help them by donating online or stopping by their booths. They’ll be outside the Logan Valley Mall on Friday night. They’ll also be at the Lowes in Altoona on Sunday from 2 p.m – 6 p.m.

Here are some numbers about the 2017 Cookie Program in western Pennsylvania:

  •     How many total boxes sold? 2,760,355
  •     How many total cases sold? 230,030
  •     What were the top selling varieties? Thin Mints, Tagalongs & Samoas
  •     How many Girl Scouts sold cookies? 17,434
  •     How many boxes of cookies donated through Operation: Sweet Appreciation?45,873
  •     How many boxes sold through Digital Cookie? 38,062
  •     How many girls used Digital Cookie? 1,845