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Cookie Drop volunteers bring holiday season cheer

  • Published
  • By Airman Ryan Throneberry
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Community members worked together to collect, package and distribute homemade cookies for all active-duty servicemembers living in base dormitories as part of Operation Cookie Drop Dec. 13 here.

This annual event was organized by military spouses and community members who wished to spread holiday cheer.

Servicemembers living in dormitories do not have the luxury of enjoying homemade baked goods on a regular basis.

"This program is a great way for servicemembers to receive a little piece of home when they can't spend time with their families this holiday season," said Jeananne Creager,
wife of Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief. "This is another way we can reach out to them."

The volunteers set up an assembly line to expedite the packaging process. Some volunteers were responsible for placing the cookies, others were designated as wrappers. Each package contained six various cookies along with mini-candy canes and chocolates. The plethora of cookies received from the community meant each batch of packages was different than the last.

The volunteers packaged 14,000 cookies into 2,100 bundles which were then distributed to dormitory residents through the first sergeants of each unit on base. The volunteers for this event ranged from wives of commanders to local community members who wanted to lend a hand.

"The volunteers here took time out their busy day to help out with this program," said Heidi Luedtke, wife of Col. Chris Luedtke, 87th Mission Support Group commander. "If we didn't do it though, I think we would all miss it."