BREWER – The Abnaki Girl Scout Council is gearing up for its 71st annual Girl Scout cookie sale Jan. 10-27. The cookie sale teaches Girl Scouts important life skills, such as goal setting and money management. It also raises funds to support the organization.

The average Girl Scout sold 89 boxes of cookies in 2002. The goal this year is to increase that by 10 boxes per girl. That would mean 376,197 boxes and more than $263,337 in proceeds for troops to use for program activities, service projects and trips. Abnaki Girl Scout Council will receive more than $564,295 to pay for programs, services and adult training made available throughout the year to more than 6,000 girl members and 2,000 adult volunteers, as well as some costs of the sale.

The cookies come in eight varieties, including Ole Ole, All Abouts, Trefoils, ThinMints Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs and Aloha Chips.

The most popular cookie sold by Abnaki Girl Scouts in 2002 was the Samoa – the second year Maine has not followed the norm.

Abnaki Girl Scout Council serves Aroostook, Piscataquis, Hancock, Penobscot, Waldo and Washington counties, as well as a few towns in east Somerset County. Those not contacted by a local Girl Scout may call the Abnaki Girl Scout Council at 989-7474 or (800) 464-3858 to place an order.