JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
"It's the most wonderful time of the year."
As the holiday season approaches, Air Force Officers Spouses Clubs across the nation are once again asking fellow service members to don their aprons, find their rolling pins and slip on their oven mitts in preparation for the annual Air Force Officer Spouses Club sponsored holiday cookie drive.
For the past decade, Air Force OSC members and volunteers have spent part of each holiday season baking, collecting and packaging thousands of cookies for on-base, dormitory residents. This year, the Andrews OSC cookie drive is looking to collect 700 dozen cookies for Joint Base Andrews dormitory residents.
"The cookie drive is a way for the AOSC to say thank you to all the dorm residents for their service," said Pam Thomas, AOSC president. "The drive also provides a bit of home to those military members who aren't able to go home for the holidays. Everyone deserves homemade cookies during the holidays! "
The Andrews cookie drive is going on now and is accepting cookie donations at the Andrews Thrift Shop, located at 1676 Brookley Avenue. Thrift shop hours are from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Mon., Wed. and Thurs., with cookie donations being accepted until Dec. 15.
Joanna Robinson, Andrews Officer's Spouses Club vice president, is heading up this year's cookie drive and has a personal connection to those service members living in the dorms.
"When I was enlisted in the Air Force, I lived in the dorms," said Robinson. "I remember what it was like to be away from those you love during the holidays. Bringing cookies to the dorm rooms isn't a lot, but it lets residents know they are appreciated and brings a piece of home to those who can't go home themselves."
Volunteers are still needed to not only bake cookies, but also collect and package the baked goods at Chapel 1 on Dec. 16 from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cookies will then be distributed by JBA agency first sergeants on Dec. 17 to the door step of every dormitory resident.
"Last year, the AOSC collected more than 7,000 cookies," said Robinson. "With the help of everyone on Team Andrews, we hope to not only reach that number again, but exceed it."
For more information on the cookie drive, or to volunteer your time towards this delicious cause, email Louann Robinson at LouannRobinson@ymail.com.