Virginia Hospital Center is humbled to have been adopted by local Girl Scout troops as their Hometown Hero.

Girl Scout groups participating in their Hometown Heroes program encouraged their 30 troops to recognize the Hospital.

Barbara Studenmund bought 24 boxes of cookies from Troop 3185. “I was looking for a way to express my appreciation to those working at the hospital to save so many lives, putting themselves at risk, and when the Girl Scout cookies became available, it seemed like a win-win”.

The Hospital has received 671 boxes so far. Thanks so much to these enterprising youths and everyone who continues to support devoted healthcare workers for their efforts to keep our neighborhoods healthy and safe.

“It’s very local and very personal,” said Dorine Andrews, the Service Unit Manager for area scouts. “[The Hospital] is a real institution in Northern Virginia.”

Brownie Troop #60229 — composed of six third-grade girls at Glebe Elementary School in Arlington — sold a remarkable 1,415 boxes, of which 395 went to the Hospital. In second place was Troop #60160, which donated 59 boxes.

“The girls are really motivated by giving back to others in need,” said Sheila Herrling and Ilyssa Clay, Troop 60229 leaders. “And with COVID in full swing, and VHC nurses & doctors working around the clock, it was hard to imagine anyone more in need of a little cookie love.”

The cookies are distributed to our staff by an employee who volunteers to wheel a “sunshine cart” through the Hospital. The snacks boost morale, especially among the approximately 140 staff members who work directly with COVID-19 patients each shift.