Page 16 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 12-11-15

Dec. 11, 2015 FEATURE Thunderbolt
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‘Operation: Cookie Drop’ commences

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Group commander. “A senior master sergeant
MARCY COPELAND brought me a plate of cookies, and it made
me feel good like a sense of home was being
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs handed to me.”

A decades-long tradition brought a little Delivering 6,000 cookies makes an im-
taste of home during the holidays to Airmen portant statement, according to the first
living in the dorms. sergeants.

The Luke Air Force Base Officers Spouses “I love it,” said Master Sgt. Sara Abel, 56th
Club, volunteers and supporters collected and Operations Support Group first sergeant.“This
packaged cookies Tuesday and Wednesday for is one of the best parts of being a first sergeant.
first sergeants to deliver to dorm residents. We get to go out and give these cookies to Air-
men and say thank you for everything they do.
“It’s a hard time of year for the Airmen,” said I think all the first sergeants love it as well. I
Sarah Shoemaker, wife of Col. David Shoe- want to give a big thank you to the spouses’
maker, 56th Fighter Wing Vice commander. club and all the wonderful volunteers for put-
“It’s difficult when you’re not with family, ting this event together for our Airmen.”
and for a lot of these Airmen it is their first
Christmas away from their families. We just The annual event brings holiday cheer not
want to add a little cheer to their Christmas.” just to the Airmen, but also to the volunteers.

The event is made possible by donors who “It is a really good feeling to help with this
support the event by providing an estimated project,” Shoemaker said. “We just want to
500 dozen cookies for dormitory Airmen. help bring up morale for Christmas and
keep people from being on the down side.
“I remember when I was an airman first We really want to try and bring a little joy
class living in the dorms,” said Monica Bailey, to their hearts this holiday season.”
wife of Col. William Bailey, 56th Operations

Sarah Shoemaker, wife of Col. David Shoemaker, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander,
works alongside other volunteers adding bows to donated cookies packaged for de-
livery to Airmen living in the dorms. First sergeants delivered the cookies.

9ROXQWHHUVSDFNDJHGRQDWHGFRRNLHV:HGQHVGD\DW/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH2SHUDWLRQ Sarah Shoemaker, wife of Col. David Shoemaker, 56th Fighter Wing Vice commander,
Cookie Drop took place Tuesday when members of Luke and the surrounding com- DFFHSWVDGRQDWLRQRIFRRNLHV7XHVGD\RQ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$OVRNQRZQDV2S-
munity donated cookies to be given to Airmen living in the dorms who are away from eration: Cookie Drop, the event was held to collect cookies from members of Luke
home for the holidays. and the community to bring holiday cheer to Airmen who are spending Christmas
here at Luke.