(LaPorte, IN) - A local girl is being recognized for making veterans worldwide

feel special.

Emily Graves started giving Girls Scout cookies to veterans in the area

when she was six.

Several years later, she has formed a group of more than 150 volunteers

to reach veterans with Girl Scout cookies.

To date, 40 thousand boxes have been given.

At Wednesday’s LaPorte County Commissioners meeting, state senator

Mike Bohacek presented her with the Prudential Spirit Award.

He called it one of the biggest honors for a young person….

Graves said the several thousand boxes of Girl Scout cookies for this year

will be going out soon.

She said some of the cookies are shipping to veterans in other areas of the

globe.