19th annual Airmen’s Holiday Cookie Drive almost here

Cookies of all shapes, sizes and flavors will go into boxes for hungry unaccompanied and single Airmen at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for the 19th annual Airmen’s Holiday Cookie Drive. (Skywrighter photo/Amy Rollins)

Cookies of all shapes, sizes and flavors will go into boxes for hungry unaccompanied and single Airmen at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for the 19th annual Airmen’s Holiday Cookie Drive. (Skywrighter photo/Amy Rollins)

About 1,300 hungry unaccompanied Airmen at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are hopeful someone wants to fill them with holiday happiness – via home-baked cookies packed in individual boxes, left on their bed or desk. The base’s first responders also will benefit.

The 19th annual Airmen’s Holiday Cookie Drive is set for Dec. 4 from 6 a.m. to noon at the USO Community Center, Bldg. 1222, Kittyhawk Center, Area A. There are additional curbside drop-off locations for cookie donors’ convenience that day:

• Prairies Chapel, Bldg. 6568, 682 Chapel Lane, Area B, 7 to 9 a.m.

• Wright Field Fitness Center, Area B, 7 to 9 a.m.

Names of willing volunteers and cookie pledges should be emailed to Wrightpattcookies@yahoo.com. Any questions or offers to volunteer to package cookies can also be directed to this email address.

Bakers are asked to label their cookie donations if they contain “no nuts” or “no gluten” so they can be taken to a dedicated table and included in boxes for Airmen with specific allergies.

All donations should be delivered in disposable packaging.

The sweet goods are eagerly awaited by their recipients, said Staff Sgt. Jazmyn Turner, cookie drive chair. Each Airman receives one dozen cookies, handed to him or her at work by a first sergeant.

“A lot of times it’s an Airman’s first Christmas away from home. It means a lot to know people are out there thinking about them,” she said. “It feels like you have family here – even when you’re not with your actual family. It supports the family mindset among the military members.”

First responders from the 88th Security Forces Squadron, the Wright-Patterson Fire Department, emergency room workers at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center and flightline personnel will receive baked goods, too.

“Add us to your calendar,” Turner said. “We need lots of bakers and lots of volunteers. We’re very thankful for everyone’s time and efforts to make this a successful event.

The cookie drive is sponsored by the Wright-Patterson Enlisted Spouses’ Club, Wright-Patterson Officers’ Spouses’ Club, First Sergeants Council and the United Service Organization of Central and Southern Ohio.

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