Cookie caper spreads holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Angela Martin
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With Christmas less than three weeks away, Laughlin is bustling with holiday spirit. Laughlin's Club XL is booked with holiday parties, base housing is glittering with decorative lighting and now the Officer's Spouses Club is handing out cookies.

The OSC is an organization dedicated to giving back to national and local Air Force communities. Every December, they host the Cookie Caper to spread holiday cheer to all single active duty members of Laughlin, which totaled 642 this year.

"Last year, we got thank you cards, emails and letters. A lot of people get to go home, but not everyone has enough time or money to leave. This is our way to remind everyone of the holidays and that they are cared for here," said Nicole Rollins, an OSC member.

This year, there was excitement and support for the event. Volunteers from Laughlin and Del Rio baked more than 6,000 cookies. The commissary donated materials for packaging, students from St. James elementary school made cards to accompany the packages and a local Girl Scout troop decorated gift tags.

On Wednesday afternoon, over 20 Laughlin volunteers packaged the cookies and distributed them to the dormitories and houses on base for single members.

"All the guys in my husband's flight were so excited for today. They kept asking me, is it true that we're getting cookies?" said Erin Heidtman, an OSC member.

Hopefully, these flight members were pleasantly surprised to come home to find a gift bag hanging from their door.

"I came home to a bag of cookies on my door! Thank you cookie caper people!" said Ashley Wolfe, 47th Operations Support Squadron.

"This was a great experience! I was able to see someone find their bag and they looked so happy," said Leslie Wilmot, a pilot training spouse.

There is no doubt that the efforts of Laughlin volunteers were appreciated as they reminded everyone that even when you are away from home during the holidays, your Air Force family is still there to help you feel at home.