AS the province urges physical distancing measures aimed at slowing the third wave of COVID-19, Girl Guides of Canada’s BC Council has faced challenges with public and door-to-door cookie sales for the second year in a row. On Wednesday, they announced an exclusive, safe distribution partnership with London Drugs in British Columbia which will see Girl Guide classic chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies available exclusively at all stores in BC as well as online at londondrugs.com.
The cookie fundraiser, which is the largest source of fundraising support for non-profit Girl Guides programs across BC, is set to bring in over $600,000 through the sale of 120,000 boxes of cookies at London Drugs. All sales will go directly to BC Girl Guides to support their ongoing programs that empower girls and young women in the province.
“Girl Guides teach adaptability and preparedness to handle unexpected situations with a sense of confidence and self-assuredness. These are the same principles that have been critically important for all of us over the last year,” said Clint Mahlman, London Drugs President and Chief Operating Officer. “Whether you have close ties to the Girl Guides in your own family or not, by purchasing a box of cookies, you are helping build resiliency and future leaders in your community.”
Funds raised will support Girl Guide programming at the local level as well as inclusion resources and membership subsidies for girls with financial need. It will also support newly adopted initiatives to provide safe outdoor, virtual, and at-home activities that keep guiding going no matter what health conditions arise and provide essential connection for girls during the pandemic and beyond.
“Now more than ever, we need funding to keep girls connected with supportive peers and caring adult role models who mentor them during these unusual times,” said Diamond Isinger, provincial commissioner for BC, Girl Guides of Canada. “Our non-profit guiding programs are fully volunteer-powered and rely on amazing support from our communities. We are grateful to London Drugs for providing a safe distribution network to sell our cookies, and we are grateful to British Columbians for their continued support through the purchase of Girl Guide cookies.”
Girl Guides cookies are now available at all London Drugs in BC and online.