Cookie Drive reminds Airmen they are not alone

  • Published
  • By Airman Quentin K. Marx
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The Ellsworth Spouse’s Club, with assistance from St. Paul’s School in Rapid City, collected and distributed cookies to more than 700 Ellsworth AFB dorm Airmen Dec. 7 through 9.

The purpose of the Cookie Drive is a fundraiser that aims to distribute holiday cheer to single Airmen who are away from their families during the holidays, reminding them they are not alone and that people are thinking about them.

“The Cookie Drive is a fundraiser where the Team Ellsworth Spouse’s Club accept prepackaged and homemade cookies [from the surrounding area], and the spouses wrap them up for dorm Airmen on base,” said Heather Ryan, ESC president.

The event would not be possible without help from the Rapid City community. During the fundraiser, community members donate either prepackaged cookies or provide a monetary donation. The monetary donation is then utilized to purchase additional cookies as needed, or saved for the next year’s event.

“If money is donated to the fundraiser the spouses club will buy cookies for the fundraiser with the money that was donated if there are not enough cookies for the cookie drive," Ryan said. "If there is any excess money from the cookie drive it will be donated to next year’s fundraiser.

Airmen also received personalized holiday cards in their cookie bags from children from St. Paul’s School.