Cookie express brings holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The holiday season can get a little tough for anyone who has to spend it away from their families.

Some Airmen cannot make it home for the holidays whether it is due to mission or scheduling requirements.

To bring a taste of home to these Airmen each year the base works with the community to collect baked goods and deliver them as part of the Cookie Express.

“The purpose of the Cookie Express is to bring holiday cheer to the Airmen in the dorms and the 24-hour work centers,” said Kelly Speidel, Malmstrom Spouses Club president.

This year, volunteers from the Great Falls school district decorated cookie bags and cards for Airmen. Other volunteers baked and donated cookies, and the rest bagged or delivered across the base Dec. 15.

Volunteers included various volunteers from the local community and across the base.

“I like to be involved with things that mean something,” said Sharon Lynde, 1st Liberty Credit Union director of communication and product development. This is my third year volunteering, and each year I look forward to seeing the outpouring of community support.”

“It means a lot to see those who took the time out of their busy schedules to help make the Cookie Express special,” Speidel said.

According to Speidel, initially the goal this year was to have 600 dozen cookies, so that each Airman would receive six cookies.

There were so many cookies donated the volunteers were able to donate extra cookies to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Grace Home and other local charities, according to Speidel.

“It was amazing to see almost double the amount was donated,” Lynde said. “It feels good to be able to give back to those who risk their lives to protect us.”

Over 1,115 dozen cookies were donated for the event.

“This event really meant a lot for many different people in many different ways,” Speidel said. “I want to extend an overwhelming thank you to all of those who helped make the Cookie Express a success.”