JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with that comes quality family time, festivities and the sweet scent of holiday baking.
While not everyone can make it home for the holidays, the Cookie Caper reminds Joint Base Andrews servicemembers living in the dorms that they are part of the Air Force Family.
"The Cookie Caper is a Joint Base Andrew's holiday cookie drive for our Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers who live in the dorms," said Gail England, wife of Col. Michael England, Air Force District of Washington chief of safety, and Cookie Caper coordinator. "Anyone and everyone is invited to help bake cookies and package them for distribution by the First Sergeant's Council. All Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, civilians, contractors, young and old - all are invited to participate to make this base-wide effort a success."
Bakers base wide baked hundreds of dozens last December for perhaps the littlest known pillar of the Air Force family: single Airmen.
"Last year, we actually needed 600 dozen cookies to cover all of those in the dorms. I imagine this year will be a similar number. Most recipes make three to five dozen cookies, so we are hoping people roll up their shirt sleeves, put on an apron and let the flour fly," she said.
Ms. England said one misconception in the Team Andrews' community regarding the Cookie Caper is that there are plenty of volunteers, but she said it is important for the base community to know that the Cookie Caper is not an individual wing, squadron, group, or chapel activity, but a total joint base effort.
"We really do need everyone's help," said Ms. England. "What we need are dozens of cookies, brought to the chapel, ready to be commingled with others' cookies to make up a dozen mixed cookies for our dorm residents."
Baggies, gift bags and rubber gloves will be at the chapel for Cookie Caper baggers.
"This is a great way for the base to show the dorm residents that we care and want to make their lives a bit more enjoyable," explained Ms. England. "It brings the Andrews community together during the holidays to help spread some cheer!"
Ms. England said all kinds of cookies are welcome.
"It's always fun to see the different types of cookies that show up and the dorm residents love them all, so, there is no one favorite or one type we are looking for. Whatever the bakers like to bake will be fine - more than fine!" she said.
Bakers can drop off cookies at Chapel 3 before Dec. 10. Cookie Caper runners will be at Chapel 3 between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. to run cookies between bakers' cars and the Chapel so bakers can conveniently "drop and go."
This year's Cookie Caper will be held on Dec. 10 at Chapel 3, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. For more information, call 301-599-0543.