Kadena volunteers spread holiday cheer to single servicemembers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  How do you bring a little cheer to more than 2,000 single servicemembers spending the holidays far away from family and friends? Perhaps 24,000 cookies is a good start. 

With this in mind, 500 volunteers from various organizations here mixed, rolled, sprinkled, decorated and baked thousands of confectionary treats as part of Operation Hometown Kadena Cookie Drop.

This is the second year in a row that Kadena spouses have organized a cookie drive to give single E-4's and below in the dorms a taste of home during the holidays, and the entire community worked together to make it a success.

"Last year, our cookie drive started as a way to spread a little holiday cheer to our single Airmen living in the dorms," said Marianne Williams, the wife of Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, 18th Wing commander. "This year the project has grown exponentially. I could not be more proud of everyone's dedication and teamwork." 

What began as a way for the Kadena Officer Spouses Club to provide treats for unaccompanied Airmen evolved into a huge operation involving several hundred volunteers who worked over the course of four days to make the cookies at the 18th Force Support Squadron's central kitchen. 

Several commissary vendors donated the raw materials -- butter, oil and eggs -- while the Boy Scouts collected donations of cookie dough from commissary patrons. When it came time to bake, almost every Kadena unit helped out, as well as numerous private organizations across the base. 

"The outpouring of generosity is unbelievable," said Sheri Fletcher, co-chair for the event and spouse of Col. Kelly Fletcher, 18th Mission Support Group commander. 

Because of the incredible amount of support for this year's effort, organizers were able to "spread the wealth" a little further. As a result, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines living in Kadena's dorms also will receive a bundle of cookies. 

"This has been one of the most amazing experiences and so much fun," said Kathy Banks, co-chair for the event and the spouse of 18th Operations Group commander, Col. Ronald Banks. "We've had about 20 different groups in here, and I think everyone has had just a wonderful time. Everyone wants to come back next year and participate so hopefully it will be just as good, if not better next year."

Anson Winsor, a volunteer from the Kadena High School National Honor Society, said he participated in the cookie drive because he wanted to ensure that servicemembers got "some holiday fun and holiday treats." He added, "It makes me feel happy because I'm giving back to them because they do fight for our country, and they sacrifice a lot. So for me to personally be able to do this for them makes me feel pretty special."

The event was also a chance to build new friendships with the local community. Among the many groups that volunteered to help bake cookies were Okinawans from the Nikkei Business College in Okinawa City who saw this as an opportunity to practice their English skills and experience how Americans celebrate the holidays.

Shoko Yamamoto, an English teacher at the college who set up the trip for her students, said that it was a great way to experience an American Christmas and a good opportunity for the students to learn about different culture. 

"We don't make Christmas cookies in Japan and we don't use sprinkles either; our cookies are very plain, so making them was fun," she said. 

Kadena Air Base's first sergeants and local Boy Scouts will deliver the cookies door-to-door in the dorms Dec. 8. 

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