Airmen's cookie drive

  • Published
  • By Teri Moseley
  • Officer's and civilian's spouses club
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  I have a secret to confess. It's the middle of November, and I have already started decorating my house for Christmas.

I know traditionalists are appalled that I haven't waited until after Thanksgiving to ring in the season, but it is not my fault. I am blaming my excitement for Christmas on the Airmen's cookie drive.

In today's military most of us spouses have been separated from our better half due to deployments or temporary duties, and it's often over special occasions such as Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries.

My husband has deployed twice, missing events like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and my daughter's birthday; so I know how lonely family separation can be. My heart goes go out to these young Airmen who are separated from their families this holiday season. I want them to know they're in our thoughts and we appreciate the sacrifices they're making.

This is my third year chairing Operation Cookie Monster, and it's not because I am a
glutton for punishment. This is an honor and privilege for me. The closeness of an overseas military community and its ability to come together for a great cause is inspiring.

Although the officer's and civilian's spouses club is the organizer behind the cookie drive, this huge task couldn't be accomplished without the help of the 48th Fighter Wing community.

Our goal is to reach 12,000 home baked cookies so every Airman in the dorm will receive a dozen cookies. We will also send cookies to RAF Lakenheath Airmen spending their holidays downrange.

Last year was the first in recent memory that we have reached this goal. When you have a community project such as this people often think that someone else will bake the cookies.

Unfortunately, when too many are of that mindset we fall short of our goal by several thousand. Whether you bake two dozen or twenty, every little bit counts. I feel very fortunate to have been asked to chair this project as I get to see humanity at its very best.

If you would like to give to the cookie drive the drop off is Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eagles Landing (O'Club). The cookies do not need to be individually wrapped, just labeled with quantity and type of cookie.

Not yet in the Christmas mood? Show up Dec. 10 to bag cookies, and witness for yourself the collective spirit of a caring community. It will set your tone for the rest of the month.

The past two years there has been a sergeant who shows up to bag cookies after working all night - he chokes me up every time.

Thank you for making a difference for so many.