Team Eglin collects cookies for a cause

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. LuCelia Ball
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Eglin leadership and about 100 volunteers were on hand to ensure the success of the 2007 Cookie Caper drive Dec. 17.

Although the initial goal for the drive was 1,001 dozen cookies, volunteers were on hand at the East and West Chapel Centers to receive and package 1,633 dozen or 19,596 individual cookies. The cookies were collected for distribution to Airmen living in the base dormitories and for units working on Christmas Day.

"There were so many volunteers that it was standing-room only in here," said Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Cardenas, 96th Air Base Wing Cookie Caper coordinator. "We packaged the cookies in record time."

The volunteers included military and civilian members from most Eglin units, as well as members from the Eglin Officers' Spouses' Club.

Team Eglin leadership representatives, including Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Air Armament Center commander, arrived to help package cookies and deliver them to the dormitory Airmen. Other volunteers included wing and unit commanders, chief master sergeants and first sergeants.

"It's just a nice way to give back and thank the Airmen for the work they do throughout the rest of the year," said Col. Rick LoCastro, 96th Air Base Wing vice commander. "The success of this event is greatly helped by all of our volunteers."

Any excess cookies will be donated to the Airman and Family Readiness Center to distribute throughout their programs during the holiday season.

"I think the Airman's Attic already took all the extras for their Toys for Tots giveaway," Sergeant Cardenas said.