KENTUCKY GIRL SCOUTS UNVEIL PROGRAM/RETAIL STOREFRONT AT ASHLAND TOWN CENTER MALL THIS WEEKEND
Girl Scouts Offer Leadership Development in All-Girl, Girl-Led, Girl-Friendly Environment
ASHLAND, Ky. – February 24, 2021– With its continual efforts to deepen community engagement in all Kentucky areas that it serves, Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road (GSKWR), will officially open its new 1,300 square foot program/retail storefront at Ashland Town Center Mall this Saturday, February 27 at 12noon. The new GSKWR retail store, near JCPenney, is a destination program center where members and volunteers can participate in program opportunities, purchase uniforms, badges, spirit-wear and other Girl Scout supplies. The general public can purchase Girl Scout Cookies at the girl-run cookie kiosks located by Bath & Body Works during weekend hours and at the new store during the week throughout the cookie season.
“Having a retail presence at Ashland Town Center Mall will be a destination for members and volunteers, and also provides our Council with significant community visibility and impact”, said Susan Douglas, CEO, Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road. GSKWR has signed a lease with the Ashland Town Center Mall. “We are thrilled to have a new home at Ashland Town Center Mall and invite the community to visit us there safely starting this Saturday”, she continued. GSKWR is holding an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, February 19 at 3pm with City of Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins and Council leadership, to kick-off National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.
Saturday’s Grand Opening begins at 12noon and the general public is invited. The first 100 attendees will receive a free gift. Additionally all healthcare workers, first-responders and essential workers who visit the shop with an official ID will receive a free box of Girl Scout Cookies.
Through the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls are empowered to run successful cookie sales, market their businesses online with the Digital Cookie® platform, and gain critical financial literacy skills along the way.
Revenue from the Girl Scout Cookie program stays in Kentucky. Girl Scout Cookie sales represent over 80% of GSKWR’s annual operating budget. All proceeds are truly girl-focused, with 19% going toward camp programs and properties, 19% toward troop proceeds and rewards, and 33% toward membership, volunteer development and program support. The vital programming that is funded through Girl Scout Cookie season leaves a lifelong impact on Kentucky’s future leaders.
For anyone who would like to purchase Girl Scout Cookies from a local Girl Scout, they can ask her about the Girl Scout Digital Cookie® platform; this streamlined platform keeps girls front-and-center while offering a convenient way for customers to buy cookies online and support girls at the same time. Girl Scouts also have the new Smart Cookies Mobile App, another digital tool that allows girls to sell cookies and track their progress right from their mobile devices. For a local Girl Scout to purchase cookies from, go to https://www.gskentucky.org/findcookies to be connected with an area Girl Scout.
About Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road
Recognized as the premier leadership opportunity for female ambition in Kentucky, Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road (GSKWR) serves over 8,000 girls and young women in 66 Kentucky counties and 1 Ohio county. With opportunities around the world, GSKWR advocates creativity and free choice, encouraging girls and young women to explore their passions and cultivate change through a focus on life skills, STEM, entrepreneurship and outdoor experiences. Through corporate partnerships in the State of Kentucky, GSKWR is creating a critical career pipeline of intelligent women leaders. To learn more about how Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road is creating experiential and leadership opportunities for growth, please visit www.gskentucky.org.