366th Fighter Wing's cookie drive changes drop off times, location

The 366th Fighter Wing's annual Holiday Cookie Drive is now underway.

Based on the initial response, and a re-evaluation of the number of wing troops deployed overseas (most in combat zones), organizers of the event have increased the number of cookies they hope to collect from 1,200 dozen to 1,600 dozen, and have changed both the pick-up times and the drop-off locations for the cookies.

The purpose of the drive is to provide a "taste of home" for Airmen in the dorms and those deployed.

The cookies will be distributed by the wing's first sergeants.

"The holiday cookie drive is a long-standing Air Force tradition," said Allison Browne, cookie drive coordinator. "It's a great opportunity for the wing and local community to say thank you for our Airmen's service."

Cookies can be dropped off at Pauls Market and Albertsons in town (no longer at the Chamber of Commerce), or at the Base Exchange and The Gunfighter Club (no longer the CAC) on base.

The cookies need to be dropped off by Dec. 1-6, rather than the previous dates of Dec. 5-7, although, on base, a curbside drop off can be made as late as Dec. 8 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the commissary.

Volunteers are being sought to help package the cookies and cards on Dec. 8 (from roughly 8 a.m. to noon).

In addition to the cookies, 1,600 homemade holiday cards are being sought to go with the cookie packages. Cards should be 5.5"x8" or smaller. They should be dropped off at the libraries in town or base no later than Thursday, Dec. 4. Anyone can make one of the holiday cards, but students throughout the Mountain Home School District will be working on making cards as well.

For more information or to volunteer to help package the cookies for delivery, call Browne at 828-3661 or M.J. Maxwell at 828-3665, or send an e-mail to mountainhomeholidaycookiedrive@hotmail.com.