SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- Peterson, Schriever, Cheyenne Mountain Spouses’ Club members prepared thousands of cookies as part of its Cookies for the Troops program Dec. 6.
The PSC Spouses’ Club collected donations of cookies and sweets on Schriever and Peterson Air Force Bases prior to packaging them in the afternoon at the Peterson Chapel room.
The annual event is held to give cookies to those working in 24-hour facilities, as well as to Airmen residing in dormitories. Volunteers gave approximately 400 boxes to members at all three bases.
“This event is meant to spread holiday cheer,” said Alexanderia Kendall, PSC membership chair. “Since this was the first event I ever participated in when we moved here, I decided I wanted to organize this event. I’m a pastry chef, so I knew it was a good fit for me.”
Schriever and Peterson members donated oatmeal, chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter and a variety of other cookies and confections.
The PSC Spouses’ Club members used social media to encourage each other for this effort.
“We had a social media feed going of how many each of us were baking and what kind,” Kendall said. “I had 207 cookies and someone else had 204. It was a friendly competition and good fun.”
Once all the cookies were boxed, first sergeants loaded them up in the evening for delivery.
“It's always better to give than receive,” said Master Sgt. Jayson Heeks, 721st Mission Support Group first sergeant. “Our dorm Airmen are amazing. They get after the mission every day and give back in so many ways. It was our pleasure to share a little holiday cheer, a few laughs, smiles, shake hands and say ‘thank you’ for all the hard work these Airmen do every day for our Air Force.”
Airmen in dormitories expressed gratitude toward the event.
“This is my first base and first time away from family,” said Airman 1st Class Dorjee Tashi, 21st Operations Support Squadron airfield management operations coordinator. “It was a really nice gesture our first sergeants thought about us during this holiday season. Seeing them knock on doors and deliver cookies was a very joyous moment. It made me feel part of this new family I have on base. I am pretty sure other airman felt same way I did.”
According to volunteers, the cookie drive is about more than just giving homemade goods to troops; it's about taking care of each other.
“I know it’s just cookies, but it’s something that makes people happy,” Kendall said. “The holidays can be rough, especially for those at their first duty station and away from family. It’s nice to get a taste of home or what your grandma would make; our goal is to spread some cheer and make their holidays brighter.”
For information about the PSC Spouses' Club, visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/PSC-Spouses-Club.