Members of the 1st Midale Girl Guides came to Weyburn on Thursday evening, to sell 156 boxes of chocolate mint cookies to Weyburn's Patricia Soles of Bison Manor.

Soles said she wanted to give one box of cookies to each resident in her building for Thanksgiving.

A legacy of scouting and memories

Soles said she also wanted to contribute to the troop's camp fundraiser for personal reasons, in honour of her late husband, Lyle.

"I used to cook for the girls' camp years and years ago, when I lived in Regina. The other leader's name was Carol, and she was an RCMP wife. I was an RCMP wife," Soles said. "My husband, he used to be a Scoutmaster in Rosthern, with his friend Dr. Arnie Nickel. They were always at different groups, so they looked after the kids. When I went to the one camp, it was the first time I ever had a fridge that you walk into."

In all, she purchased 13 cases of cookies, which totaled close to $1,000.

"I'm giving them to every apartment," she said. "The one man's going away for Thanksgiving, but I told him there'd be one by his door. Then I'm going to my daughter's for Thanksgiving. My step-grandchildren and my grandchildren will be at Thanksgiving with my daughter. My daughter works at the vet clinic for 33 years. I'll take some there if there's any left."

She noted that she was inspired to share because someone in her building had previously left a couple of boxes in the lobby of the building.

Fundraising for more memories

Girl Guide Ember leader Robyn Erickson told Soles that her support will help the troop with their goal to attend summer camp. Her daughter, 10-year-old Jennifer Hannon, said they have only been a troop for three years, and have not yet been able to attend camp.

"The scouts have told us we could join one of their camps at Kenosee. So we're also fundraising for that," said Hannon.

Erickson's son Travis is part of the 5th Weyburn Scouts, and the family had the help of friend Madelaine Allen and her son Bodhi for the delivery on Thursday evening, as both of their kids are in Scouts together.

"That's where we're actually headed right now. It just worked out so well that we could stop in and deliver her 13 cases of cookies. So that's 12 per box."

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A moving delivery

The cookie delivery was a heartfelt experience for all, and Soles was moved to tears due to being so happy to support the group.

"I didn't realize she was crying until I'm like, oh my gosh, she's crying. It means so much to her," said Erickson. "I think she was, literally, because of all the memories." 

Soles also inquired about the next cookie campaign, which Hannon said will be in spring, featuring the cream-filled mix of vanilla and chocolate cookies.

You can listen below to the full audio from that night.