INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Thursday, Girl Scout troops encouraged people across central Indiana to give blood with the promise of a special gift in return.

Girl Scouts’ annual Thin Mint Thursday honors the selfless act of giving blood at locations of Versiti Blood Center of Indiana. Donors get a box of Thin Mint cookies.

From 10 a.m. to noon, the girls delivered the cookies by hand to donors at the downtown center. Right above the table where the scouts had the cookies, visitors could see a wall full of sticky notes where people expressed their heartfelt inspirations for giving blood. The wall was called A Beacon of Hope.

“We appreciate anybody coming here in the community just representing what we support,” said Denena Edwards, Versiti donor center manager.

Edwards talked about the atmosphere the Girl Scouts brought with them to the centers: “The energy is exciting and we’re all just happy to have them here. It’s a good vibe.”

Girl Scout trooper Maci Morgan said, “When they donate they save free lives and we can just give them a box of cookies.”

Maci says encouraging others to give on Thin Mint Thursday is her way of doing her part until she’s old enough to play a bigger role and become a donor herself.

“It makes me feel really good because I can’t give blood yet, so (for donating) they can get a free box of cookies,” Maci said.

Participating Versiti donor centers include those in Fishers, Carmel, Greenwood and Lafayette.

According to Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, at least 560 donors are needed to give blood to help patients in need in more than 80 Hoosier hospitals. Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors must present a valid photo ID that includes their birth date at their appointment.