Cookie Crunch set to wrap up just in time for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  With only days left in the annual Osan Cookie Crunch preparation, members of the Osan community are working double time to ensure single and unaccompanied servicemembers here receive their tasty treats in time for the holidays.

The Cookie Crunch program is hosted by the Osan Officer's Spouses Club and base leadership to bring a taste of home to all Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Korean Airmen on the peninsula.

"We do this [the Cookie Crunch] to bring a little home-baked holiday cheer to the troops to let them know they're being thought of during the holiday season," said Ms. Kathy DiNuovo, military spouse and two-time cookie crunch volunteer.

Traditionally, the Cookie Crunch is done at stateside bases for unaccompanied Airmen living in the dorms, usually 1,000 to 1,200 Airmen; however, Ms. DiNuovo said the unique situation at Osan called for a bit more cookies. Osan's Cookie Crunch delivers about 9,000 bags of cookies, which equates to about 90, 000 cookies.

"We have a very small number of spouses and large number of troops," she said. "That's why we begin baking so early and use recipes that make extra large quantities. We've got the process perfected."

The chocolate chip and sugar cookies are baked using recipes that have been tweaked and reused for years. The cookies are then frozen until it's time for delivery.

"I love this, it's really hard work, but I love it," Ms. Rebecca Mattison said. "It gives the Airmen a taste of home, and makes you feel like you're doing a little something to bring home to Korea."

However, it's not all work and no play for the volunteers, whose laughter can be heard before you find the kitchen.

"We have a good time, we turn on the radio and have music and dancing," Ms. DiNuovo said. "I look forward to this each time. At the end of the day I'm utterly exhausted, but it's loads of fun and I know I'm going to turn around and be right back here on the next baking day."

Though the spouses club takes the lead on the Cookie Crunch each year, making the event a success truly takes the work of the entire community.

"A couple of years ago we tried not to use active-duty volunteers since the event is for them ... but they were mad, they wanted to help too," Ms. DiNuovo said.

Now, anyone can volunteer to bake for the Cookie Crunch and the spouses say experience is not required.

Cookie baking will be complete before Thanksgiving and delivery is scheduled for mid-December, bringing Cookie Crunch 2009 to a close, and that is all the satisfaction the members of the OSC say they need.

"We're military spouses, this is what we do," said Ms. DiNuovo. "We're here to support our troops, we're not here for the glory. It's enough just knowing we did something to help brighten someone's holidays."

*The remaining cookie baking days are Nov. 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the Mustang kitchen. To volunteer, e-mail ccvolunteers@osanosc.com. Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes and a hat. No sleeveless shirts are allowed.