JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C –
Members of the Joint Base Charleston community came together to bring holiday cookies to single service members across the installations, Dec. 15-18, as part of the third annual Operation Cookie Caper.
The Fleet and Family Support Center partnered with Team Charleston Spouses Club to collect cookie donations on the Weapons Station and Air Base to be distributed to the service members. In the previous years, TCSC has called their cookie drive Operation Cookie Drop, while FFSC has called theirs Cookie Caper. As part of the combined effort they renamed this years' service Operation Cookie Caper.
"The Operation Cookie Caper entails the military spouses and community partners coming together to spread holiday cheer to the single service members," said Angela Cottman, FFSC work life consultant. "It's a way for the single service members to enjoy the holidays with a taste of home-made cookies."
Cottman explained that Fleet and Family began this initiative in 2012 after noticing how many single service members are stationed at the Weapons Station during the holidays. This is the first year they have partnered with the spouses club, which has been delivering cookies on the Air Base for six years, as a way to increase the number of service members reached.
"TCSC is excited to partner with Fleet and Family and hopefully make this operation a bigger success then it already is," said Tonya Prentiss, TCSC president. "The response has been tremendous and the outpouring of cookies and goodies for these service members has been great."
Fleet and Family received cookie donations from the Navy Wives Club of America Menriv Park, Girl Scout Troop 602, Navy Federal Credit Union, JB Charleston - WS Youth Programs Cooking Club, FFSC staff members and JB Charleston military spouses. Youth Program teen volunteers dedicated their time after school to bag the cookies in holiday packaging to be distributed. Between the two organizations, more than 1,500 bags of cookies were distributed to the single Sailors and Airmen.
Fleet and Family delivered the cookies to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command dormitories, Naval Health Clinic Charleston, Army Reserves, Naval Consolidated Brig staff, Naval Support Activity, Nuclear Power Training Unit, Navy Operational Support Center and the Navy Munitions Command. The spouses club handed out cookies during lunch at the Gaylor Dining Facility on the Air Base and The Galley on the Weapons Station. They also delivered cookie platters to various units that provide 24/7 operations, such as the fire department and security forces.
With the increased success of the initiative, Cottman said FFSC plans to continue providing this service for the single service members as a way to bring JB Charleston together for a good cause.
"The most important involvement comes from the military community," added Cottman. "We just want them to all know we're thinking of them during the holidays."