By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

Later this week is a day that I personally think should be a national holiday — National Girl Scout Cookie Day.

Set for Feb. 8, National Girl Scout Cookie Day is a celebration of Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Samoas and ever-expanding waistlines.

However, according to the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, which includes Shelby County, National Girl Scout Cookie Day also celebrates the true purpose of the Girl Scout cookie program, which is to teach girls five essential life skills: goal setting, decision-making, money management, business ethics and people skills.

These days, National Girl Scout Cookie Day is also helping girls increase their business savvy online and through social media.

Hilary Perry, director of communications and advocacy for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, said the organization is challenging anyone who buys a box of cookies on Feb. 8 to share it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag “#onemorebox.”

Growing up, I was a Girl Scout for all of a few months before my troop disbanded, so I never got to experience the thrill of selling cookies.

Watching local Scouts get the experience of selling and learning about how business works at a young age, I’m sad that I missed that experience. I think it would have been an excellent learning experience for me and all the other young girls who were in my Scout troop. I’m thrilled that young girls today get the opportunity to be so involved with such a program, especially one that can show them how business works on a local, statewide and national level.

All revenue earned from cookie sales by girls involved with Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will stay with the local Girl Scout program. Revenues will supply essential services, such as program resources, communication support, training volunteers and funding events.

So if you’ve got a few extra bucks on Feb. 8, go find a Girl Scout booth and load up on cookies! Your money will stay in the community and you’ll help local girls build up their business sense. If you ask me, that’s a bargain for just a few dollars.

Amy Jones is the Associate Editor for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at 669-3131 ext. 30 or by email at amy.jones@shelbycountyreporter.com.