Macomb Township

Local Girl Scout aims for 1,000 cookies for deployed soldiers

By Robert Guttersohn
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Erin Sanchez Girl Scout Elizabeth Popovich, 10, stands in front of a poster board covered in photos of American soldiers around the world enjoying the cookies she worked to have sent to them. Elizabeth sent troops more than 600 Girl Scout cookies last year and hopes to send out 1,000 this year. Photo by Erin Sanchez Girl Scout Elizabeth Popovich, 10, stands in front of a poster board covered in photos of American soldiers around the world enjoying the cookies she worked to have sent to them. Elizabeth sent troops more than 600 Girl Scout cookies last year and hopes to send out 1,000 this year.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — For Elizabeth Popovich, a 10-year-old student from Sequoyah Elementary, sending more than 600 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to deployed soldiers last year wasn’t enough.

For the 2013 Girl Scout cookie season, Elizabeth is better organized and prepping earlier, in hopes of sending troops 1,000 boxes.

Elizabeth began sending the cookies to soldiers three years ago after discovering most people who had already bought cookies for their family were willing to dish out extra money to donate cookies to someone else.

“Most people won’t buy any for themselves,” she said. “So, I came up with the idea for them to donate to the troops.”

The idea expanded from that first year. Her father Dave Popovich, acting as her chauffer, drove Elizabeth to various businesses last year. “Most of the businesses we went to last year were pretty supportive,” Dave said. Elizabeth made her pitch, and the businesses began donating boxes in bundles.

By March 2012, she had sold 687 boxes and the soldiers who received cookies from her sent pictures back, showing her how much they enjoyed them.

“It made me feel really nice inside for doing something like that for someone,” Elizabeth said.

Seeing the soldiers enjoying the snack thousands of miles away created a drive within Elizabeth to outdo herself.

Her mother Tracy Popovich said Elizabeth still sells a high number of cookies directly to families here. “She just went one step further of focusing more on donations,” Tracy Popovich said. “She does her fair share of selling actual cookies, but as far as seeing if we can get more sent overseas, that was her idea.”

Elizabeth’s reason is simple. “Because it makes the troops happy,” Elizabeth said.

She is confident she can reach her goal but realizes she will need help.

Those interested in helping Elizabeth reach her goal of sending 1,000 boxes of cookies to deployed soldiers can pay online via PayPal by using the email address Cookies4Troops@comcast.net or by mailing checks to Cookies4Troops, Box #435, 51194 Romeo Plank, Macomb, MI 48044.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robert Guttersohn at rguttersohn@candgnews.com or at (586)218-5006.