A determined Girl Scout from Pennsylvania is on track to set the record for the most cookies sold in a single season, and she’s aiming for some impressive rewards.
By Saturday morning, 6-year-old Pim Neal had already sold close to 87,000 boxes of cookies as part of a fundraiser that initially aimed to raise enough funds for her to attend scout camp.
“Pim is truly unstoppable,” commented her father, Luke Anorak-Neal.
This enthusiastic scout from Pittsburgh first set her sights on selling a certain number of boxes alongside her fellow kindergarteners, eventually increasing her target to break the state record and pushing for over 10,000 boxes.
Now, she’s aiming to sell 100,000 boxes.
“Pim’s target is 100,026 boxes so she can attend Girl Scout camp this summer, embark on adventures with her troop, and engage in meaningful community service,” Anorak-Neal mentioned on Facebook.
“Pim wants to sell more cookies than anyone else, and we’re tackling her goal bit by bit. She’s already set several national records and is close to claiming the world record for most boxes sold.”
Pim, a Daisy Scout who is the youngest in her group, started her sales on January 6 and racked up 800 boxes by that Friday.
Typically, Girl Scout cookie season runs from January through April, as noted by the organization.
The family has turned to social media, utilizing Facebook and TikTok, to promote Pim’s sales and keep followers informed of daily updates.
Anorak-Neal shares Pim’s journey on social media, noting her remarkable cookie sales achievements.
The efforts to generate sales also include placing ads in local Facebook groups and making a family decision to focus on cookie sales instead of Christmas gifts.
They go door-to-door too, delivering cookies personally.
“Pim is out knocking on doors daily after school and on weekends if the weather allows. She’s been reaching out to people at church and community events. We’re excited about the incoming pre-orders as she continues to spread joy through cookie sales,” Anorak-Neal shared.
Pim’s family has provided an online tracker for her sales.
Anorak-Neal described the experience as challenging; Pim faced delays in joining the troop due to her late birthday, and she encountered some negativity regarding her disability when she initially tried to become part of the group.
“At one cookie booth, before I knew much about Girl Scouts, I asked the adults there if she could join. One woman shouted at us, saying she couldn’t join due to her disability and suggested we find a playgroup instead,” Anorak-Neal recounted.
Pim has long dreamed of being a scout ever since witnessing a cookie sale at age three.
Once she finally joined, there were concerns about her adapting quickly, but she surprised everyone.
“Her early meetings were quite tough, but the support from everyone really helped her through those initial challenges,” Anorak-Neal reflected. “I took on the role of troop leader to be right alongside her in this journey.”
Pim was motivated to sell cookies once she learned the ultimate prize was a trip to Niagara Falls, a place her father had visited in the past. The family’s desire to visit this natural wonder became even more important after a health scare affected last year’s holiday plans.
“Pim is aware of how significant Niagara Falls is. She’s eager to see it for herself,” Anorak-Neal noted.
Currently, lifetime cookie sales records show that motivational speaker Katie Francis sold 180,000 boxes from 2011 to 2020. Francis also previously held the record for single-season sales until it was surpassed by Lily Bumpass with over 32,000 boxes in 2021, a record quickly outdone by Pim.
Praising her daughter’s remarkable achievements, Anorak-Neal said, “I’m not entirely sure what led to this success, but I’m just trying to keep up and sell as many boxes as we can. On Friday morning, the excitement was palpable as people rallied to help break records that had stood since this 6-year-old girl was born.”
