Emily Fritts Takes a Girl Scout Blimp Ride

On Wednesday March 25, local Ambassador Girl Scout Emily Fritts and her mother, Tracey Padula, went on a once-in-a-lifetime ride on the Goodyear Blimp in Carson, Calif. Four seats were gifted to the San Gorgonio Girl Scout Council from Jim Ferguson, Owner of the Tire Guys. Rides aboard the Goodyear Blimp are by invitation only and cannot be purchased, making this experience even more special. The seats were awarded to the top two girls who sold the most cookies to be donated to a local charity or the military. “Our I Care Program is truly a partnership between the local community and our Girl Scouts. All the good deeds that the I Care Program accomplishes would simply not exist without one or the other,” said Katherine Smith, Social Media and Public Relations Specialist for the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council. Out of 8,000 Girl Scouts selling in her council, Emily sold 636 boxes, the second highest amount of donated cookies. All 636 boxes were donated to Operation Gratitude, which mails care packages to military, veterans, and wounded warriors. Emily has volunteered with Operation Gratitude located at the Armory in Van Nuys since 2011. Being a Girl Scout and selling cookies for 10 years, Emily has developed many relationships with local businesses including the Tire Guys. They have been one of her biggest supporters. Last year for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council had cookie booths at all four of the Tire Guys locations with a special promotion of free oil change when attendees purchased five boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. This is just one of the many ways that owners Jim, Sue and Ed Ferguson have been involved with Emily and San Gorgonio Girl Scout Council. It was special to have a female pilot, Taylor Laverty, and was very appropriate showing yet another profession for Girl Scouts to think about for their future. Emily is in 11th grade at Grand Terrace High School and is proud to be in Girl Scouts. Being a Girl Scout has opened up many opportunities and experiences. She finds it very rewarding and enjoys interacting with and representing her community.