Cookie Crunch to deliver holiday cheer to Airman at Osan

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Volunteers closed in on the half-way point of a "Cookie Crunch" Oct. 20, 2011.

Just three days into the cookie-baking project by the Osan Officer Spouses Club, more than 30,000 cookies are baked, bagged and ready for delivery to unaccompanied U.S. military personnel stationed on the Korean peninsula. Each bag contains eight cookies - a mix of sugar and chocolate chip varieties.

These cookies will be delivered sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, according to "Cookie Crunch" co-project manager Kristen Cockrum.

"I hope some of these cookies reach a young person who is away from home for the first time, and the smell of 'em makes the person think of home," Cockrum said.

Held annually since the mid-1990s, the bakers use a hand-me-down recipe. At the afternoon shift Oct. 20, members of the Officer Spouses Club were joined by more volunteers interested in supporting this holiday cheer project.

"It's worth it," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Fiala, assigned to the 51st Communications Squadron. "People don't realize how big this project is."

There are two shifts a day -- each with 15 people and lasting about two and a half hours -- working either in the Mustang Club's kitchen or ballroom.

"Cookie Crunch" has a modest $3,000 budget, but donations in ingredients from the Defense Commissary Agency and use of cooking facilities by the 51st Force Support Squadron make this annual project achievable," said co-project manager Stephanie Wolf.

While the club members are here with their military spouse, "Cookie Crunch" is about those serving in Korea unaccompanied.

"It's hard enough during the holidays, even with family around us," Wolf said. "We want to let those assigned in Korea know that we appreciate them and care about them."

Wolf is married to Col. Danny Wolf, 607th ASOG commander. Cockrum is married to Lt. Col. Jason Cockrum, assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing Safety office.