Cookie Drive cures jeer, brings holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  For Holloman's junior enlisted members residing in the dormitories on base the winter holiday time period can be bitter-sweet. For many of these first-term Airmen this will be the first holiday season away from their families.

To sweeten their days here, organizations from around the base hold an annual Airman Cookie Drive to bring the Airmen a little "taste of home" to their new residence in the Tularosa Basin.

"Sometimes we get so caught up in everything that's going on during the holidays we forget to slow down and remember people who aren't with their family," said Lisa Krumm, organizer of the event and wife of U.S. Air Force Col. David Krumm, 49th Wing commander. "It's important we embrace them as part of our family and let them know we appreciate their service and sacrifice."

The goal for this year's drive is to match last year's outcome of about 17,000 cookies or 1,400 dozen.

"Last year our initial goal was 600 dozen, but we were so successful in getting the word out that we were able to double how many cookies we gave each Airman," Krumm said. "We have about 600 Airmen living in the dorms right now, so being able to give each of them two dozen was fantastic. We are hoping to repeat that this year."

Although successful, last year's drive did provide some learning points for this year's, Krumm said.

"Chocolate chip cookies are always a huge hit, however, they don't always look as festive," she said. "Try adding a few extra sprinkles or add some extra colors to kick up the festive factor. Also, last year some people put a lot of effort into individually wrapping the cookies for each person. On Dec. 12 we will do the 'processing' at the Commissary and everything will be put into trays, so you don't have to put in that extra effort to personalize the trays. Other than that, don't change a thing."

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tamara Kissinger, 49th Communications Squadron first sergeant, expressed her gratitude to the Airmen themselves for what they do.

"Baking cookies is just one small way Team Holloman and local community residents can show appreciation to the Airmen for their service and hard work throughout the year," she said. "I know it can be difficult being apart from your family this time of the year, so I want them to truly feel like a part of the Holloman family and local community this year."

Cookies can be dropped off at the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce at 1301 North White Sands Boulevard, or at Allure Spa at 2350 1st Street Dec. 5-9, during normal business hours.

Cookies can also be dropped off at the Holloman Chapel Dec. 5-9 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 9 during drive-by service from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; or Dec.11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Delivery to the dorms is currently scheduled for Dec. 12.

For more information, contact the 49th Wing Public Affairs office at (575) 572-5406.