Club collects Christmas cookies, creates cheer

Published Dec. 8, 2011
By Lea Johnson
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- While there's no place like home for the holidays, many Airmen on Peterson Air Force Base will be staying in Colorado away from their families this season. To spread some cheer, the Peterson Spouses' Club collects hundreds of dozens of cookies for the approximately 450 Airmen living in the dorms each year.

Farrah Champion, PSC chairman of special events, said, "It just gives them a little taste of home when they're living in the dorms by themselves. It might be their first time ever away from home."

This was Champion's fourth year involved in the cookie drive and third year in charge.

The PSC set up in the chapel all day Nov. 5 and 6 to accept cookie donations. About 20 military and civilian volunteers met after work the second day to package the cookies. "We just have assembly lines, people going up and down bagging cookies into a zip lock baggie bag until we have them all done," Champion said.

The cookies ranged from decorated Christmas cookies to chocolate chip to peanut brittle, both homemade and store bought.

First sergeants picked up the cookies and delivered them to the dorms after the packaging, Champion said.

Along with eight cookies each, bags for Airmen were also filled with hot chocolate packets and individually wrapped candies that people donated. "People bring in all types of food," Champion said.

The spouses' club may oversee the cookie drive but the Peterson community makes it happen. "The majority of (donations) are from people who work and live on Peterson and spouses of people who work here," Champion said.

Most of the volunteers who packaged the cookies are older Airmen, who remember what dorm life is like, she said.

Students from Patrick Henry Elementary School decorated the paper bags the cookies were packaged in.

"I appreciate everyone's help," Champion said. "I think it's nice to give them a little something at Christmas time when they may not be able to be around their family.

Holiday cookies for Airmen