On March 27, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police got a very special visit from the Girl Scouts of the Magnolia Service Unit in Durant, Okla.
Dressed in their iconic vests and armed with Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, and plenty of smiles, these young ladies were on a mission to show first responders how much they appreciate the work they do for communities on the Choctaw reservation.
Each year, from January to March, Girl Scouts across the U.S. set up booths and tables to sell their famous cookies.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the organization sells about 200 million boxes of cookies annually during their fundraising window. The profits, most of which are returned to local councils and troops to pay for camping trips and other activities, top $800 million.
The Girl Scouts also operate a community donation program called Gift of Caring, which teaches girls the importance of philanthropy and gives the community a chance to support a wide range of non-profit organizations, from military personnel to local food banks.
Candice, a troop leader and mom to a Girl Scout, said, “The girls learn to give back. The community gives so much to them, and then they learn to bless their community in return. They always learn a different lesson about people that are different than them, who are doing things they haven’t heard of or who are from different positions in life.”
It is through community donations to Gift of Caring that the Magnolia Service Unit was able to donate 20 boxes of cookies to the Choctaw Lighthorse.
The service unit has also donated to Meals on Wheels, Feeding Hope, Families Feeding Families and other charitable organizations in the area.
“Some people want to buy cookies but can’t because of health problems like diabetes and gluten,” said Kierston, whose favorite cookies are Lemon-Ups. “Then they will put some money in the donation box, and then we pay for certain cookies and we give them away.”
Lucie, who recommends Samoas, said it’s important to donate cookies because, “they go out to the first responders, and I feel like those people deserve it. And they go to people who are maybe less privileged than other people.” She also made sure to note that the troop can decide where the cookies go, so they know they are going to a good cause.
The girls didn’t know what to expect from their visit at first.
The term “Lighthorse” was new to them, and as one might imagine, it conjured up images of ponies and unicorns, not police officers.
Ava, who loves the new Exploremores, explained, “They used to be police who would ride around on horses and arrest people, but after that, they just changed to normal policemen.”
During their visit to the Department of Public Safety, the Girl Scouts were able to tour the facility, including a walkthrough of the offices, a look-in on Dispatch and some time spent exploring a patrol car and the S.W.A.T. team’s Bearcat, a specially designed tactical armored vehicle.
Lucie said her favorite part of the visit was the Bearcat. “It’s super cool! We got to sit in the front seat and look in the back.”
Police Chief Michael Woodruff, Executive Director Mike Hall, and Officer Andrew Lee accepted the cookie donation and led the tour, fielding questions from the troop as they went. One Girl Scout asked whether there were any women serving in the Lighthorse, and the group was delighted to learn there was a former Girl Scout about to graduate from the police academy.
Kierston was surprised to hear this.
“You always hear about these famous cop stories about how they’re always saving people and helping people, but you never actually meet them or know them personally, and the fact that one of my troop leaders helped raise that girl that is now going to be a cop just kind of lit me up.”
Malori Lawson, who graduated from the academy on April 17, was a member of Girl Scouts from 2008-2012 and belonged to the Magnolia Service Unit herself. When asked what she learned in Girl Scouts that could help in her new career as a Lighthorse officer, Malori recalled all the community support activities she did, from trash pickups and recycling to decorating Main Street for Christmas.
“Girl Scouts definitely taught me how to be a part of my community,” said Lawson. “Doing these things as a little girl pushed me into wanting to do more for my community, being there for people who are in need. My passion for law enforcement started when I saw what I could do for people, even just those small things, when I was with Girl Scouts.”
The visit was equally special for the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse. Community outreach is a priority for the Department of Public Safety, and officers can often be found at day cares, headstarts, and public schools handing out stickers, answering questions and letting the children look inside a patrol car.
Police Chief Woodruff’s favorite outreach activity is when officers sit with children and read stories to them.
“When young people interact with officers in positive, non-enforcement settings, they start to see them as helpers—not just authority figures,” said Chief Woodruff. “That trust carries into adulthood and makes communities safer overall.”
This sentiment was echoed by the volunteer leaders of the Magnolia Service Unit.
“The biggest thing that we teach in our house is that our officers are helpers. I think that it’s super important for our daughters to see our Lighthorse men and women as someone they can trust, someone that is a solution finder,” said Allison, mother to two of the Girl Scouts and volunteer troop leader in the Magnolia Service Unit.
Woodruff also believes that Lighthorse officers represent more than policing; they are part of a long tradition of sovereignty and heritage.
“Engaging youth helps pass on respect for tribal values, identity and community responsibility,” said Woodruff.
At the end of the day, most of the donated cookies were shared with CNO dispatchers, who play a vital role in ensuring Lighthorse officers arrive on scene quickly and well-informed.
“I just want to say,” said Kierston of the experience visiting the Choctaw Lighthorse, “I loved it. It was amazing. Ten out of ten. Five stars. Would recommend.”
For more information on the Gift of Caring or to donate to Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, visit gseok.org.
To learn more about the modern Choctaw Lighthorse, visit choctawnation.com/news/iti-fabvssa/the-modern-day-choctaw-lighthorsemen/.