February 19, 2024
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians has kicked off the first Great Cookie Competition that will crown “East Tennessee’s Favorite Cookie.” Local community and business leaders will represent one of the beloved cookie flavors to become a Cookie Competitor and will earn votes by raising money.
“The Great Cookie Competition creates an exciting fundraising experience for a good cause,” said Lynne Fugate, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians (GSCSA). “It costs $750 per girl per year to fund the Girl Scout experience, and 70% of that amount is covered in cookie sales and the other 30% comes from the generosity of donors.
“All of the proceeds raised through the competition will be used to bridge the Girl Scout experience funding gap, as well as enrich program offerings and support regional GSCSA camps and community troops.”
The East Tennessee Region competitors are Craig Pickett Jr., representing Thin Mints; Tavis Bailey, Samoas; Taylor Boyer Redmond, Tagalongs; Colleen Cruze Bhatti, Do-si-dos; Kevin Swider, Trefoils; and Whitney Kent, Adventurefuls.
Voting is open now through March 15. The competition will take place predominately on social media or via letters and phone calls. Cookie Competitors will share their stories on why they love their cookie and talk about the cookie’s history.
Visit www.FavoriteCookie.org to vote on the Great Cookie Competition website.
The competition will wrap with The Great Cookie Tasting, on Tuesday, March 26, at Yee-Haw Brewing Co., located at 745 N. Broadway in Knoxville from 6-8 p.m.
The event will serve as a finale to the 2024 Girl Scout Cookies season, and attendees can enjoy signature cookies paired with libations from Yee-Haw Brewing. Event registration is available at girlscoutcsa.org/en/support-us/fundraising-events/great-cookie-tasting.html.
About Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians
Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, offering programs that give every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of entrepreneurship, adventure, and success. The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians has more than 10,000 girl and adult members in 46 counties from southwest Virginia, through eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia. Membership is open to all girls from kindergarten through their senior year in high school. Girl Scouts build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. For more information, visit girlscoutcsa.org or call 800-474-1912.
