Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – You might say it’s the moment many have been waiting for since last spring.

Girl Scout Cookies are officially being sold as of Friday; and, yes, the newest flavor, “Exploremores”, is available.

But more than just having your favorite addiction available again, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois’ Kelly Loftus tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch, is how much good the proceeds really do.

“The girls have the ability to choose what to do with their proceeds,” said Loftus.  “A lot of them put [those] proceeds back into the community, with community efforts.  We do a ‘Cookie with a Cause’ program.”

Loftus says of the three troops she leads, one has decided to help a local nursing home, while another is helping “The Cat’s Pyjamas Cat Cafe” with old boxes that can be used at their facility.

“They have the troop proceeds, and then the rest, we like to say, funds the fun,” said Loftus.  “That goes to scholarships, camperships.  It goes to the camps and programs in the area.  But, all of the proceeds stay local for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, which is really nice.”

As in past years, Girl Scouts will be out in the area, in front of many local retailers big and small, selling their cookies.  If you want to find “dealers” in your area when they sell outside retailers, CLICK HERE.

You can also order cookies online when you CLICK HERE.