Taste of home delivered in cookies

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  A little taste of home was delivered in festive cellophane bags complete with ribbons and a holiday card for single Airmen living in the dormitories Dec. 2. 

Volunteers from across the Aviano community pitched in to help bake, package and deliver more than 9,200 cookies during the 2008 annual Airman Cookie Drive Dec. 1-2. 

For Felicia Douville, giving back to the community is why she volunteered to help with the drive. 

"This is just one of those ways we as spouses can give back to our Airmen who give so much every day," she said. "It's hard for them, especially during the holidays when they are so far away from home." 

For one maintainer, the cookies brought flashbacks of his family's holiday reunions. 

"The cookies were great," said Airman 1st Class Stephen Flores, 31st Maintenance Squadron. "They reminded me of home and how someone would always bring a batch of fresh cookies to our family get-togethers."

It was moments like that, that made the cookie drive worthwhile for the volunteers.

"This event was all about extending a touch of home to our Airmen," said Kim Collins, a member of the cookie drive committee. "We just want them to know that we care and that we are there for them."

More than 60 volunteers throughout the community donated cookies, dough and supplies turning the La Bella Vista Club into a mini-Willy Wonka factory churning out everything from gingerbread and butterscotch cookies to maple bars and fudge.

"The La Bella Vista Club staff was fantastic," said Mrs. Douville. "They provided everything and anything we needed and really added to the holiday atmosphere. "

Once the cookies were packaged, first sergeants then distributed them to each of their Airmen in the dormitories. Extra cookies were also packed and shipped to deployed Airmen.

"You never know how these events will turn out," said Mrs. Collins. "If it wasn't for our community and volunteers coming together, this never would have been possible."

This year's cookie drive was co-hosted by the Aviano Officers and Civilians Spouses Club and the Aviano Community Enlisted Spouses Club.