Operation Cookie Cutter is sweet success

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Life will be a little sweeter for servicemembers deployed downrange thanks to the caring volunteers who assisted during Operation Cookie Cutter Nov. 1 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

More than 50 boxes of holiday treats were packaged for deployed members serving in contingencies across the world, said Terri Presa, 71st Mission Support Squadron Community Readiness consultant. 

"I'm proud of the support we are giving our deployed people," she said. "We want to show them we care, and we are thinking of them during the holidays. This is also a great way to kick off Military Family Month. " 

For Trista Huinker, this was a way to let other deployed personnel like her husband, Capt. David Huinker, 71st Medical Support Squadron, know they are being thought of. 

"It makes me feel good to help," said Mrs. Huinker, who's husband is deployed to Afghanistan until March. "It's also great to see how many people care about our military men and women who serve." 

Members of the Blue Star Mothers of America cared enough to provide three huge boxes of homemade holiday cookies to send downrange. 

"These are mothers of servicemembers who are deployed. They know how it feels to have a loved one away during the holidays, and it was wonderful to donate cookies to send to our Team Vance people." 

Even school children were compelled to give of themselves to troops serving abroad during the holiday season. Chisholm High School collected items such as peanuts, candy, gum, beef jerky, popcorn and hot chocolate and wrote letters to send in Operation Cookie Cutter packages. 

Kindergarteners from Eisenhower Elementary School made holiday cards and used their tiny thumb prints to decorate them. 

"Seeing those cards choked me up inside," Ms. Presa said. "It's so amazing to see how much people care - even the youngsters." 

With the help of several volunteers, this year's operation was a success, Ms. Presa said.
"This is such a wonderful program, and this couldn't have happened without the generous help of our volunteers," she said.