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Operation Cookie Drop brings holiday spirit to dorm Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob C. Morgan
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 500 Airmen staying in the dorms over Christmas will now have the opportunity to eat some hand delivered cookies thanks to Operation Cookie Drop. The cookies were delivered to the dorms here on Dec. 21, 2010.

Operation Cookie Drop, organized by the Chief's Group, is an Air Force-wide tradition. This year, there were more than 50 volunteers including spouses, first sergeants and young Airmen.

The event had more than 500 bags, boxes, and plates full of cookies, which ranged from traditional to outrageous.

"Operation Cookie Drop is a small thing that goes a long way," said Chief Master Sgt. Dominic Perino Jr., president of the Chief's Group.

Staff Sgt. Bobby Davis, a volunteer with the operation, has had similar feelings.
Sergeant Davis was a young Airman at Holloman AFB, N.M. in 2003 when he was surprised by his bases' version of Operation Cookie Drop.

"I enjoy sharing the experiences that I once enjoyed," said Sergeant Davis.

The majority of the cookies came from spouses of local servicemembers. Spouses were pivotal with the success of the operation today," said Chief Perino.

The local Elk's Lodge and the USO also donated cookies. "The USO and its volunteers try to get involved and reach out whenever we can," said Joan Cote, director of USO Delaware.

Within 45 minutes of the operations kick-off, all of the cookies had been packaged, and were on their way to the dormitories, to be delivered by the First Sergeant's Council.

"I remember when I was an Airman away from home," said Chief Perino. "Operation Cookie Drop lets the Airmen know someone is thinking of them. It feels like you're not forgotten."

Chief Perino said the operation was an overall success and they gathered enough cookies to donate some to local homeless shelters and the Salvation Army.