Pam Hoerle, our Project Coordinator in the Federal Way office, is passionate about Girl Scout cookies. We all love Girl Scout cookies, right? Cracking open a box of Thin Mints, Samoas, or one of the other tempting varieties has become an American tradition.

But Pam’s passion for Girl Scout cookies isn’t about enjoying them herself - it’s about how those cookies can make life a little brighter for the members of our armed forces.

For the past two years, Pam has spearheaded MacKay Sposito’s participation in Operation Cookie Drop, a program that allows customers to purchase Girl Scout cookies which are then donated to members of the US military. Supported by matching contributions from our Veteran’s Support Council, MacKay Sposito donated 186 boxes to our troops in 2014. This year that number rose to 264 boxes donated, which blew away the goal of 200.

Operation Cookie Drop combines two of Pam’s main passions: Girl Scouts and supporting our troops and veterans. Pam has been a Girl Scout leader for six years and is an enthusiastic advocate for scouting. She’s also a member of our Veteran’s Support Council and has been active in furthering its mission to “advise MacKay Sposito in identifying and advocating for opportunities to support our active soldiers, veterans and their families.”

What it is about Operation Cookie Drop that resonates with Pam? “I don't think I can only name one single thing,” she says. “It's every time I watch a parade and the World War II veterans go by, and I think of my Dad. It's the elderly gentleman out in Maple Valley who every year stops by as many Girl Scout cookie booths as he can. He buys one box of every flavor and then takes out a sheet of stickers, carefully placing a sticker on each box he purchases. The sticker gives his name and rank, and thanks the soldiers for THEIR service. This year I asked him how many booths he buys from and he said, "Every one I see. It's going to visit J9 to drop off the gift cards from our gift card drive and hearing about the local soldiers and their families. There are many ways to help the men and women who serve; I think Operation Cookie Drop is one of them.”

For those of us going about our daily lives in the safety afforded by our troops, Girl Scout cookies may seem like nothing more than a tasty fundraiser. But Pam has reminded us that to a soldier they can be a meaningful - and comforting - taste of home.