Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council to Celebrate Girls, Community at First-Ever Bring Home the Cookies 5K on February 26

(PHOENIX – Feb. 11, 2022) – Join Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC), State Forty Eight, and State Forty Eight Foundation for the first-ever Bring Home the Cookies 5K Run and Walk on Feb. 26 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The family friendly event, open to families, competitive runners and the community at large, will start and finish at Sun Devil Stadium and feature music, food and even a Girl Scout business or two. All registered participants will receive a Girl Scout goodie bag with a State Forty Eight branded 5K shirt, a package of Girl Scout Cookies, a medal, and more.

“For six weeks each year, Girl Scouts in central and northern Arizona participate in the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world: The Girl Scout Cookie Program,” says Christina Spicer, interim Co-CEO for GSACPC. “Bring Home the Cookies 5k is a celebration of all our incredible girls and their dedication, innovation, and creativity during these unique times. Girl Scouts are learning first-hand entrepreneurship and financial skills they will carry with them their whole life. We are also honored to celebrate with State Forty Eight as we close out this year’s cookie season.”

“We are thrilled to have joined forces with Girl Scouts to celebrate the spirit of local entrepreneurship,” says Mike Spangenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of State Forty Eight. “They do so much to equip and empower the young women of our community to be leaders, that it was an easy decision to choose them as our partner for our first-ever 5K.”

In addition to the race itself, the event will feature special appearances from the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, Arizona Cardinals’ Cheerleaders and Big Red, and a Runner’s Village both with traditional booths and vendors as well as food trucks and even a couple Girl Scout entrepreneurs, notably 9-year-old Giselle, a Girl Scout Junior with Troop 2894 in Goodyear, who will exhibit her Pawsome Pet Boutique.

“Giselle used the skills she learned and confidence she gained through the Girl Scout Cookie program to start her own business,” says Mary Mitchell, co-interim CEO of GSACPC. “Her business, through which she sews and personalizes over-the-collar pet bandanas, makes pet bowls and creates handmade gemstone jewelry for pet lovers, even donates 10% of all sales to Sun City 4Paws Rescue, paying it forward as part of her business model.”

The Runner’s Village will open at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. It will be followed by a celebration and medal ceremony. The course is a fast-paced route that loops with a minimal elevation change. This course is perfect for attempting a personal record or having a fun, leisurely run or walk. Water will be available for runners and walkers at the start, finish and midpoint. Restrooms are public and near the start, finish and expo areas. Sports strollers, running chairs, handcycles, sports wheelchairs, prostheses and canes are allowed on the course.

Girl Scouts and their accompanying family members can participate in the race untimed for free. For those who wish to sign on as timed runners or walkers, registration starts at $80 and there are team options for sign-up.

“This event would not be possible without a village – a Runner’s Village, to be specific – of supporters, including sponsors at State Forty Eight, State Forty Eight Foundation, Ardie & Steve Evans, Clear Channel Outdoor, Lovett & Touché, Helios Education Foundation, Morgan Stanley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, KITCHELL, Duffy Group, Mutual of Arizona Financial Group, As You Wish, Bashas’, Burrito Express, Circle K, Kappa Delta, and LAVIDGE,” says Spicer.

“This a cause that is deeply aligned with the mission of our foundation,” says Alyssa Moore, Executive Director for State Forty Eight Foundation. “To co-create a fun event with our local Girl Scout chapter that will in turn support Arizona’s future leaders and business owners is very exciting for us.”

Visit www.bringhomethecookies5k.com to sign up today.

About Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.

About Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)

In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

About the Girl Scout Cookie Program

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, generating over $700 million in annual sales. Nearly 200 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies are sold each year to more than 50 million cookie customers. Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council sold over two million packages of cookies last year. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, troops are hoping to meet or exceed previous sales goals.

*** Please note that Girl Scout Cookie Program dates are set by each of the 112 councils throughout the United States and vary based on the local market and environment. The 2022 cookie program for Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) is Jan. 17 – Feb. 27, 2022. GSACPC is one of two

councils in Arizona. GSACPC includes central and northern Arizona. The second council, Girl Scouts of

Southern Arizona (GSSoAZ), includes Tucson and Yuma, and their cookie program is Jan. 22 – March 13, 2022.