Holiday Cookie Drive brings cheer to Ellsworth Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Donald C. Knechtel
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The Enlisted Spouse's Club prepared and collected more than 6,000 baked cookies for Airmen Dec. 13, as part of the 4th annual Holiday Cookie Drive, which is held to spread holiday cheer to Ellsworth members who live in the base dormitories.

"A lot of our Airmen don't get to go home to see their families, so this is our way to tell them thank you for all you do throughout the year and your hard work," said Chasity Mitchell, ESC member coordinator. "[It is] a little thank you gift so they feel appreciated during the holiday season."

In past years, the organization has provided up to 6,000 cookies for Airmen. This year, with donations received by base personnel and community supporters, they were able to match that.

"As far as how much time and dedication it takes to pull this off, 3,600 [is] a lot of cookies," Mitchell added, citing their original goal. "We are putting in a lot of hours to pull this event off, but in the last four years we have been very successful."

The hard work dedicated to the event by the spouses paid off in the end with gratitude from Airmen.

"Receiving the cookies as a dorm Airman during the holidays was heartwarming," explained Senior Airman Edward Carmody, 28th Maintenance Group dedicated analyst. "It made me feel welcomed at Ellsworth."