Bringing a ‘taste of home’ to Minot AFB airmen

MINOT, N.D. – It’s a time of joy and a time for giving.

Organizers of the annual Airmen Cookie Drive at Minot Air Force Base are getting ready for this year’s event when hundreds of homebaked cookies are collected in the Minot community and then packaged on base to give to first-term airmen.

Carri Walters, spouse of 5th Bomb Wing Commander Col. Michael O. Walters, responded to questions this week from The Minot Daily News about the cookie drive and its organizers.

Walters, along with Tonya Menuey, spouse of 91st Missile Wing Commander Col. Christopher E. Menuey, and senior leader spouses are coordinating the annual Airmen Cookie Drive.

Carri Walters said the cookie drive for first-term airmen is “a wonderful Air Force tradition.” She said Tonya Menuey has been involved in similar projects to provide cookies to the Missile Alert Facilities. Walters has been part of cookie drives at multiple Air Force bases including helping coordinate the first ever Cookie Drive at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar for deployed airmen overseas.

“Receiving a bag of homemade cookies during the holidays is always appreciated by our airmen. The thoughtful gesture represents family and community and brings us together even during challenging times,” Walters said.

She said the cookies for Minot AFB airmen will be assembled by spouse volunteers into bags and then distributed by the base’s First Sergeants to the first-term airmen.

There are nearly 1,200 first-term airmen who live in base dormitories, according to information provided by the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce. For many of them this will be the first time they have been away from their families for Christmas and the New Year’s season.

Walters said anyone who is interested in baking cookies can help with the project.

“We are so grateful for every cookie donated and every person that assists in this effort,” she said. “This project is only successful due to the tremendous support and cookie donations that we receive from the Minot community along with our Minot AFB spouse volunteers and First Sergeants.”

Randy Hauck, chairman of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee, in a story published in Monday’s edition of The Minot Daily News, urged local individuals, businesses and organizations to participate in the Airmen Cookie Drive by donating homebaked cookies.

He said the overall goal between the base and downtown is 1,200 dozen cookies, which means one dozen homemade cookies per person for the first-term airmen.

Walters said the cookie drop off times and locations are as follows:

– Minot Area Chamber of Commerce office at 1020 20th Ave. SW. The drop-off dates and times are Dec. 7-8 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.

– Northern Lights Chapel at Minot AFB. The drop-off dates and times are Dec. 8 from 7-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., and Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Walters said the cookies will be delivered by First Sergeants to airmen on Thursday, Dec. 10.

“We appreciate the support that the Minot community gives to the airmen stationed at Minot AFB every year during our annual Cookie Drive. For many of our airmen, this is the first time to be away from home during the holidays and the bag of cookies is like a taste of home.”

Bringing a ‘taste of home’ to Minot AFB airmen

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Trending Slider

North Dakota Highway Patrol discourages trailers and high-profile vehicles during strong winds after crash survivor survives, troopers say the occupant was saved by their seat belt

Gov. Armstrong honors fallen officers at Peace Officers Memorial Service, pledges continued support for law enforcement

North Dakota governor Kelly Armstrong makes major workforce agency leadership change just before retirement deadline

Bismarck announces lane reductions and major intersection closure along Expressway starting May 17

Bismarck public works to host open house event for National Public Works Week celebration

Bismarck police investigate fatal motorcycle crash at Main Avenue intersection

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Bringing a ‘taste of home’ to Minot AFB airmen

Related posts

Country West Road to close between Clydesdale Drive and Ridge Place starting October 20

Yard waste collection site at Riverwood golf course parking lot to close temporarily for resurfacing

Winter Kill in North Dakota Delayed, Benefiting Soil Health and Crops

The proposed 2023 spring load restriction map is currently being developed and will be placed on the City website prior to City of Bismarck load restrictions being put into effect

Bicyclist injured in collision on Saturday

The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library is joining libraries across the country in celebrating National Library Week from April 6 through April 12, 2025

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

North Dakota Highway Patrol discourages trailers and high-profile vehicles during strong winds after crash survivor survives, troopers say the occupant was saved by their seat belt

Gov. Armstrong honors fallen officers at Peace Officers Memorial Service, pledges continued support for law enforcement

North Dakota governor Kelly Armstrong makes major workforce agency leadership change just before retirement deadline

Bismarck announces lane reductions and major intersection closure along Expressway starting May 17

Bismarck public works to host open house event for National Public Works Week celebration

Bismarck police investigate fatal motorcycle crash at Main Avenue intersection