Volunteers return to bake, box holiday cheer for Montana’s deployed

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Just as they have done for the past 10 years, volunteers from the base, the Montana Retiree's Council, Malmstrom Spouses' Club, 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union and the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 1087 came together in support of Operation Happy Holidays.

The program was started as a way to show appreciation to Montana's service men and women for their contributions to American freedom and to bring some holiday cheer to them while they are away from loved ones during the holidays.

"Many communities don't do what we do so it's important for us to let them (the servicemembers) know how much we care, because their sacrifice is great," said Steve Kubick, a retired Air Force officer and founder of the program.

In order to make the program a success, volunteers baked more than 1,600 dozen chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin cookies over the course of three days Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

While cooking was taking place in the kitchen, other volunteers were busy getting hot cookies on to cooling racks and another group was busy packaging cookies that were already cooled. Packaged cookies were then carted away to a storage area where they would remain until Dec. 5 when care packages would be assembled.

"It is remarkable the support we continue to get year after year," said Dimmer Kjelsrud, marketing director at 1st Liberty FCU. "We have an incredible group of dedicated volunteers and each year, we add a few more. I think once you become involved in such a worthy cause, you want to come back and do it again."

Building 800 was the place to be Dec. 5 and there was no shortage of volunteers there, either. Working in tandem like a well-oiled machine, Team Malmstrom members had the 200 boxes packed, sealed and labeled in a few short hours.

Besides the homemade cookies, deployed servicemembers will receive beef jerky, candy, toiletries, powdered drink mix, travel sets, frisbees, socks and several other items. Children from Loy Elementary School made holiday greeting cards which were one of the last items to be packed so as to be the first item the servicemembers see when they open their box.

"This is my first time helping with Operation Happy Holidays and it has been a pleasure to work alongside these amazing retirees, family members, civilians and fellow Airmen for such a worthwhile cause," said Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing vice commander. "Their efforts are a true reflection of the meaning of the holiday season."