Girl Scouts are known for selling treats to support their programs, but one Girl Scout initiative has turned the tables and provided treats for some four-legged friends waiting for homes.
Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians partnered with Young-Williams Animal Center through its Fall Product Program, giving supporters an opportunity to donate Girl Scout-themed BarkBoxes to shelter dogs while also supporting local Girl Scout troops.
Each donated box provided a dog at Young-Williams with treats and a toy. Proceeds from the program benefited Girl Scout troops across East Tennessee and helped fund programming and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
“We challenge Girl Scouts to make tangible and positive change in their communities,” said Lynne Fugate, CEO of Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians. “Through our partnership with Young-Williams Animal Center, our troops have the opportunity to demonstrate compassion for the less fortunate, and that includes our furry friends.”
The special Girl Scout BarkBox included a marshmallow-stick toy, Berry Trio treats and instructions for dogs to earn “Puppy Patches.”
The partnership combined two areas of community service: helping girls develop leadership and business skills while providing enrichment for animals awaiting adoption.
Young-Williams Animal Center is the official animal intake center for the City of Knoxville and Knox County and takes in an estimated 11,000 animals each year. The nonprofit works to address pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and strengthen the bond between people and animals.
“We could not do our critical work without community support,” Young-Williams Animal Center CEO Janet Testerman said. “This collaboration with the Girl Scouts brings us another step closer to our vision of ‘a home for every pet’ while also offering a little joy and enrichment for the animals in our care.”
Community service involving animals isn’t new for local Girl Scouts. Troops have volunteered with and supported animal shelters as part of their community engagement efforts.
The BarkBox project also fit into the broader purpose of the Girl Scouts Fall Product Program. In addition to raising startup funds for such expenses as uniforms, camp and troop activities, the program is designed to help girls develop five skills: goal setting, money management, decision making, business ethics and people skills.
Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians serves members in 46 counties across eastern Tennessee, southwest Virginia and northern Georgia.
The BarkBox partnership extended beyond Knoxville. Girl Scouts also partnered with animal organizations in Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities region, spreading a little Girl Scout spirit — and plenty of treats — to shelter dogs across the region.
Gretchen Crawley is chief communications officer for Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians.
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