MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Lynae Cox, wife of Col. Douglas Cox, 5th Bomb Wing commander, prepares plates of holiday cookies to be delivered to 1,100 Airmen living in the dormitories here Dec. 3. The holiday cookie drive for Minot Airmen is a yearly event engineered to reach out to young Airmen who live in the dorms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Veloz)

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Rebecca Sasseville, wife of Lt. Col. Andrew Sasseville, 91st Security Forces Group deputy commander, and Jolene Tolbert, wife of Col. Julian Tolbert, 5th Bomb Wing vice commander, prepare plates of holiday cookies for Airmen living in the dormitories here Dec. 3. The holiday cookie drive for Minot Airmen is a yearly event engineered to reach out to young Airmen who live in the dorms. Members from the base, local community, and neighboring states provided the cookies as a way to spread holiday cheer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Veloz)

Cookie drive brings holiday cheer

Published Dec. 8, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Jesse Lopez
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The annual base Christmas cookie drive is an event held for the benefit of Airmen here.

This year, volunteers from Team Minot plan to collect more than 15,000 cookies. The cookies will be packaged into approximately 800 "sweet treat" trays at Dock 9 will be passed out by first sergeants at dormitories and work centers on base this holiday season.

Squadron commanders will also be working to ensure cookies are delivered to Airmen working out in the missile fields.

For Airmen missing that familiar taste of home cooking during the holidays, volunteers hoped these cookies would sweeten up this holiday season.

"Many Airmen work through the holidays and are not able to spend time with their family and friends," said Rebecca Sasseville wife of Lt. Col. Andrew Sasseville. "The annual cookie drive is an example of Team Minot's community's support provided to Airmen across Minot AFB and those residing in the Minot area."

The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce has been helping with the project for about 12 years and was the city drop-off site for the cookies and other items.

The Minot AFB Officer Spouses Club is supporting the Airmen's Christmas cookie collection as well as many organizations, groups and individuals on base along with the Minot community's help to accomplish this project, which has been done for many years.

Others who are helping with the project this year include Glenburn schools, Mothers for Preschoolers, along with base schoolchildren, making cards for the Airmen. Both Trinity Hospital and Manorcare Assisted Living have volunteered to help make cards. St. Leo's Catholic Church and the Rev. Dave Zimmer have provided a small truck full of wonderful baked goods. Catholic Youth Organization will help with assembly and preparation.

"This may be some Airmen's first time away from home on the holidays and it helps spread a little cheer to those who don't get to be with their families for the holidays," said Sasseville.