Ellen Fritz helps pack care packages for US military members serving overseas on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The group is scrambling to package and mail at least 30,000 cookies abroad to U.S. service members in an annual effort aimed at improving morale for those serving overseas during the holidays. (Julia Nagy/Omaha World-Herald via AP)
Republished November 14, 2017 - 11:36 AM
Original Publication Date November 14, 2017 - 7:46 AM
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Volunteers from Iowa and Nebraska are rushing to send 30,000 cookies overseas to deployed U.S. service members for the holiday season.
The group, Iowa Cookie Crumbs, usually mails about 7,000 cookies to send to troops every month. But members are increasing their efforts this November to send far more cookies for the holidays, the Omaha World-Herald reported .
The volunteers bake, package and mail cookies to boost the morale of deployed individuals. The group relies on donations to cover costs, including postage fees that topped $20,000 last year.
"Any time you have a Marine receive mail, it lifts spirits tenfold, especially when you haven't got anything in a while," said Mike Jacober, a Marine veteran who received a package from the Cookie Crumbs while stationed in Iraq in 2007. "Having that connection back home means a lot."
Teams of 180 bakers will be bringing cookies to packaging events in November, compared to the teams of 60 bakers who contribute from January to October.
Volunteers also send other supplies, including helmet liners, socks, bug spray, cough drops, beef jerky, holiday cards and a pocket-size folded flag.
Soldiers "can't just go down to the corner and get a ChapStick or get some more shaving gear, so we're providing them with things they don't have access to," said Nick Nicotero, a Vietnam veteran and volunteer.
The group relies on donations from the community in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska to cover delivery and baking costs. One box costs around $17.35 to mail.
Deann Over, 70, has baked with the Iowa Cookie Crumbs since the group first started. She says the support volunteers receive is outstanding.
"It just goes to show that the Midwest culture of helping others is certainly shown in this project," Over said.
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
News from © The Associated Press, 2017