One smart cookie

Post Falls Girl Scout sells more than 23,000 boxes of cookies to help others

Mikayla Butler has earned her title as one of the top-selling Girl Scouts in the nation.

The 18-year-old has sold 23,426 boxes of cookies this year alone, and just over 60,000 since joining the Daisy program when she was 5 years old.

“It’s kind of crazy, I don’t think it’s really hit me how many boxes of cookies that is,” Butler said. “I think I would have to see that many boxes to fully grasp how many cookies that is.”

She has spent nearly 200 hours selling outside stores this year. She also launched a website, sold presale cookies, and called up her longtime clientele. Due to COVID-19, Butler took cookie sales even more seriously. With profits from the boxes affecting her regional council, college scholarships, and fundraising efforts, Butler couldn’t let COVID-19 hurt the team.

“I told myself, ‘OK, our council is really struggling this year and I’m going to do everything in my power to help out by selling as many boxes as I can,’” Butler said. “Whatever that number turned out to be I know I’ll be happy.”

Little did she know that she would exceed last year’s sales three times over.

Idaho, one of the first states to begin the reopening process, offered Butler’s troop the opportunity to get out and start selling. They did.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, their colleagues in Washington state could not.

So, Butler is donating revenue from 7,000 boxes back to Eastern Washington troops that couldn’t sell this year, a total of $4,340.

“I had a lot of generous people in the community to help me reach my really high goals so I also wanted to give back to people who haven’t got the same blessings and opportunities I’ve been given,” Butler said.

Being the smart cookie she is, Butler stood outside Lowe’s and Super 1 Foods, taking advantage of the boom in home improvements and grocery necessities sparked by COVID.

What’s her secret to success? Asking every single person that walks out the door.

She’s not a one-woman show, and says she would be nothing without the support from her family, friends and fellow scouts.

“You have to say we’re going to be selling 10 hours today and do it,” Butler said. “I’m really thankful my family and friends were able to sacrifice so much time to help me reach all my crazy dreams and goals.”

Jennifer, Mikayla’s mother, is the head of the council’s cookie cupboard, meaning during the busy season their house is home to almost 6,000 boxes of cookies. Right now, there are a little less than 1,000 boxes but most of them Butler is planning to donate today for Camp Journey, which helps children battling cancer.

Part of Butler’s goal is to make a promotional video for the camp.

“Even if other children can’t go there, hearing their story and how they’re getting through cancer gives them hope to keep fighting another day, I want to be a part of that,” Butler said. “You think you’re going to help them but actually, in the long run, they help you become a better person.”

Other than providing delicious cookies, Girl Scouts do a lot for the community.

Butler and friends have volunteered with the food bank, created cookbooks for their free Crock-Pot cooking lessons and recently helped build a bird sanctuary for kindergartners to learn about birds.

A Post Falls High School 2020 graduate, Butler plans to attend the University of Idaho and pursue a career as a physical therapist.

As she moves on, she’s proud of her efforts as a Girl Scout.

“In a lot of people’s minds, Girl Scouts isn’t cool. It is about realizing that you do make a difference and what other people say about you doesn’t matter,” Butler said. “We really do make a difference and we really do help other people.”

If you haven’t already gotten your Thin-Mint-fix this year, Butler’s council is still selling cookies. It’s $5 a box.

Info: www.gsewni.org