7-year-old sells 2,312 boxes of Girl Scout cookies
Natilie Mink, 7, sold 2,312 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year, earning herself and her mom a trip to Disney World. (Submitted photo)
By Correne Martin
A goal-seeking first grade Girl Scout from Prairie du Chien sold 2,312 boxes of the famous cookies this year—enough to win herself a trip to Disney World.
Natilie Mink, a second-year Daisy, spent six consecutive weekends, from Feb. 9 through March 19, selling local favorites Thin Mints, Caramel deLites (Samoas), Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs) S’mores and other flavors of the beloved cookies. To achieve the magical two-person vacation, one Girl Scout needed to sell at least 2,019 boxes in 2019. By setting mini goals along the way, Natilie sold that many, plus several hundred more, mainly sitting at a stand graciously allowed inside Nelson True Value in Prairie du Chien.
“When people got cookies, I liked making them happy. Some of them couldn’t even get out the door before eating them,” Natilie laughed.
Every weekend, the 7 year old and her mom, Elizabeth, sat at her cookie booth from opening til closing, ready with any of the delicious varieties customers might choose. Her biggest spender was a woman who bought 25 boxes at one time. Family and friends probably accounted for 100 boxes, mom said. But, otherwise, her sales success came as a result of her sweet smile, joyful personality and dedication. She sold at both True Value and, one time, at Mississippi Meats. She also joined her troop of eight girls in group sales across town a couple times.
Last year, as a kindergartner, Natilie sold 1,340 boxes of Girl Scout favorites. This year, she set her innocent sights on Disney World, and then followed her own advice of character: “I never, ever, ever give up.” As a young Scout learning about citizenship and service to others, she employed polite manners, in every moment: “Always treat people like a Girl Scout.”
“If they said “no,” I said, ‘OK, thank you,’” she shared.
Elizabeth noted that many people said “no” but came back and then asked about donating a box or two, or they asked Natilie what she recommended. Natilie’s personal favorite flavor is the Peanut Butter Patties. Some buyers even asked her to open the box and enjoy a cookie with them on the spot.
“Honestly, we met so many people, and True Value staff have become like family to us,” Elizabeth said. “They’d come by every day and ask how close she was to her goal.”
Elizabeth also happens to be the Daisy troop leader and local Girl Scout sales manager. She said their troop sold 4,779 boxes, which qualified them for a pool party because they averaged at least 252 boxes sold per girl. In total, Prairie du Chien area girls, from Daisies through Juniors, reached 9,061 boxes sold.
“She couldn’t have reached her goal without the troop’s support. They wanted to make sure she made it,” Elizabeth stated.
Natilie and her mom will both be first-time visitors to Disney World this October. Their flight, theme park tickets and hotel are all-expenses paid. Aside from that, they’re trying to raise money for food while in Florida, and any extra donations would benefit the local Girl Scout troops.
Natilie has already told her mom she’s going to love it at the Most Magical Place On Earth, and she’s psyching herself up to sell “3,000 boxes next year” so they can go again.
“I’m so excited. I just want to spend time with my mom,” she said.
