Local Girl Scout Leader Honored for 25 Years of Service Through Operation Cookie Drop

Ossining, NY — April 12, 2026

The New York State Organization, NSDAR and the Polly Cooper Chapter, NSDAR were proud to join Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson at the “A Taste of the Girl Scout Experience” event held on April 12 in Ossining.

During the event, Alison Bergman, founder of Operation Cookie Drop, was honored for 25 years of exceptional leadership, service, and unwavering dedication. Her long-standing efforts have become a meaningful tradition of service and gratitude for members of the military and veterans around the world.

Kari Rockwell, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, praised Bergman’s legacy, noting that her work exemplifies what it means to live the Girl Scout Promise through action. What began in 2002 as a simple act of kindness has grown into an international movement. Operation Cookie Drop now distributes Girl Scout cookies—along with handwritten letters and messages of thanks—to service members and veterans across the globe.

Since its founding, Operation Cookie Drop has reached all 62 counties in New York, 47 U.S. states including Alaska and Hawaii, more than 150 countries, 33 U.S. Naval ships, 19 VA hospitals, and over 150 veterans’ organizations. More than 1.7 million packages have been sent, each one carrying not only cookies but a message of appreciation and connection to home.

Polly Cooper Chapter member Rosemarie Schmidt highlighted that Bergman’s service extends far beyond this program. As a member of the Adolph Pfister American Legion Auxiliary, Bergman actively supports veterans and active-duty service members through care packages, VA benefit support, transition assistance, hospital visits, and numerous community outreach initiatives.

In recognizing Bergman’s contributions, the New York State Organization of the NSDAR commended her and the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson for their extraordinary patriotic service. Their shared commitment reflects deeply aligned values of patriotism, civic responsibility, and service to others.

To learn more about DAR activities or to inquire about membership, please email info@pollycooperdar.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization, was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. With approximately 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR remains one of the largest and most active volunteer service organizations. To learn more about Today’s DAR, visit dar.org.
As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding—now is the perfect time to discover whether you have an American Revolutionary War Patriot in your family and to help preserve the symbols that tell our nation’s story.