Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio recently wrapped up their annual cookie sales. For the girls of Troop 1263 in the High Desert, the campaign concluded with a special visit to American heroes at the California Veterans Home in Barstow, California. Thanks to a generous donation from a fellow Veteran of a more recent generation, they didn't come empty-handed.
Troy Mizell, the President, and CEO of AvKare in Pulaski, Tenn., donated 500 boxes of cookies to the residents of the Barstow Veterans Home. AvKare donates cookies every year to the military, but this year wanted to donate specifically to the residents of the Veterans Home. The scouts of Troop 1263, in Grand Terrace, Calif., delivered the cookies on April 4, 2018, and spent some time with the Veterans.
“Every year we support the Scouts, this year we wanted to show our appreciation to our World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Vets in Barstow," said Mizell. "This donation was from the troops, for the troops.”
Mizell is a disabled Army Vet who served in the Gulf War. He now owns a medical business with a large distribution of products to the hospitals within the Veterans Administration. He reached out to Scout leader Heather Hayes of Grand Terrace, herself a Marine Corps Veteran who now works with the National Veteran Small Business Coalition.
“I was surprised and delighted to accept the donation on behalf of the Troop,” said Hayes. “The best part was taking the girls up to Barstow to spend time with the Vets.” Clare, 9, a Junior Girl Scout from Grand Terrace, was the Scout recipient of the donation. On the day she learned of the donation, she was in complete disbelief. "Please tell me you're not joking?" was Clare's initial reaction.
Now after getting to see the positive effect it made on Girl Scouts and the Veterans she said, "I hope we get to do it next year, or every year!"