The Girl Scouts of the Panhandle host Run for the Cookies

The Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle (GSCFP) hosted their 23rd annual Run for the Cookies event on Saturday, Feb. 13.

For the past 11 years, the Girl Scouts and Tallahassee Community College (TCC) have come together to give students and other residents a chance to run a 5k or a mile, and also purchase cookies.

In today's race at TCC, we had just over 400 runners in the 5K and One Mile combined. There are other competing races in Tallahassee today, and the number of participants varies each year but that is a good number,” Dr. Jeanne O’kon, race director and Girl Scout volunteer, said.

After the race, there was an award ceremony for all of the participants at the TCC Lifetime Sports Complex.

The winners of the 5k, who were a part of a team with the most finishers, received a free weekend at Camp or a box of cookies for the top five solo runners. The winners for the one mile race received a pizza party for their school or all day passes to Fun Station.

The participants were not the only individuals who would be receiving awards for their participation. According to GSCFP.org each Girl Scout would receive a participation badge.

Throughout the year, the Girl Scouts earn funds for scouting programs by doing community service.

This year at the Run for Cookies, there were many opportunities for people to make donations. All of the proceeds from the run were to benefit the Girl Scout Travel Program.

Brenda Gibbs, chief operations officer of GSCFP said the program assists the Girl Scouts to cover cost for educational purposes and different adventures of Girl Scouting.

“We have other events that benefit other things but the Run for Cookies allow the girls to be able to travel domestically and internationally,” Gibbs said.

GSCFP has other events in the fall such as Women of Distinction, where they focus on nuts and candies and Destin Desserts, where local bakers use Girl Scout cookies to make desserts for residents.

The funds at each event have different purposes but they all benefit the Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout council chief executive officer Raslean Allen said Girl Scouts offer several opportunities for growth.

“I am so proud of the many opportunities and benefits provided for local girls through scouting activities. We focus on building girls of courage, confidence, and character,” Allen said.