It’s almost that time again – time for Girl Scout Cookies!

Girl Scouts in Butler County will begin selling their famously delicious cookies on Friday, January 9, 2009, continuing a 90-plus year tradition.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is part of Girl Scouting’s Business and Economic Literacy Initiative (for girls age 6-17). The initiative teaches finance, marketing and public speaking skills, along with providing valuable experiences to build girls’ self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style.

The cookies sell for $3.50 a box, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the cookie sale are used locally to benefit Girl Scouts through services, education and program activities.

This year, area Girl Scouts will be participating in a community services project.

“Our Scouts will be asking people to purchase at least one additional package of Girl Scout cookies for someone who is unable to purchase them,” said Molly Smart of Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, Inc.

The “Gift of Caring” packages will be delivered by the Girl Scouts to community senior citizen centers, women’s and children’s shelters, food banks, family crisis and abuse centers and other charity organizations. This year, Girl Scouts will also be accepting “Gift of Caring” donations of cookies to send to servicemen and women still serving overseas.