Girl Scouts selling cookies on State Street in downtown Los Altos received an unexpected surprise Feb. 28 when a bona fide movie star not only bought cookies, but also tried to help the girls sell more boxes to other passersby.Click through to read the whole thing, which is quite a refreshing change from the usual stories of asshat celebrities. Bravo, Mr. Hanks.
Tom Hanks, a Hollywood legend – and Bay Area native – who has appeared in some of the biggest blockbusters of the past 25 years, purchased four boxes, donated an additional $20 and offered to have his photo taken with people who recognized him – as long as they bought cookies, too.
Hat tip: A Large Regular.
I guess that makes me an asshat. I don't believe in using child slavery so that DC bureaucrats and activists can get fat pensions.
ReplyDeleteAmericans can buy all the damned cookies they want, in staggering variety, any time they want. No need to wait for once a year appeal by co-workers with kids to buy their overpriced cookies that will be delivered later.
Why doesn't the GS have a web site sales yet? Because without the extortion, their cookie model just doesn't work.
Once, long ago, when Scouting hadn't been co-oped by corporations, Girl Scouts sold homemade cookies. My mother still has her mother's Girl Scout shaped cookie cutter.
ReplyDeleteThe money they raised paid for their equipment and camping trips, not the cookie company's profits and the salaries of the national staff.
We haven't bought GS cookies in a long time. We used to get a couple boxes every season to help raise money for equipment and trips.
ReplyDeleteThen we found out where our money was really going: The Girl Scouts is one of the largest corporate donors to Planned Parenthood.
We haven't bought a box since.
Despite my agreement with NOT buying Girl Scout cookies, both for the Planned Parenthood association and the fact that a miniscule percentage of the funds raised through the cookie sales goes to those who make the sales, I still have to say "kudos" to Hanks. I bet none of this was on his mind (most people don't know the ramifications) and he just wanted to help with what is generally perceived as a good thing.
ReplyDeleteDespite my agreement with NOT buying Girl Scout cookies, both for the Planned Parenthood association and the fact that a miniscule percentage of the funds raised through the cookie sales goes to those who make the sales, I still have to say "kudos" to Hanks. I bet none of this was on his mind (most people don't know the ramifications) and he just wanted to help with what is generally perceived as a good thing.
ReplyDeleteRobert Downey Jr. has shaped up to be a solid fellow as well.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I thought that Robert Downey Jr was one of the best actors around and I was so sorry as he fell down the deep hole of addiction. Now he has not only pulled himself out as an actor but as a person as well.
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Delete@ProudHillbilly: Quite true. My personal issues with the GS/PP association aside, Mr. Hanks is a stand-up human being, and deserves recognition for his efforts.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice man, Good actor too.
ReplyDeleteTom Hanks attended my community college in Hayward about the same time I did, but I did not know him. Really enjoy his work as an actor and to see someone filthy rich take the time to help some scouts sell cookies is pretty awesome. Thank you BP for bringing a bit of cheer today into my daily traverse of the interwebz.
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