Operation C.H.I.P. offers ‘a taste of home’

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Culbertson
  • 39th Air Base Group Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) --  The Incirlik Officers’ Spouses Club, in conjunction with the family support center here, has baked, collected and packaged more than 8,400 cookies to distribute to unaccompanied airmen this holiday season.

The goal of Operation C.H.I.P. (Cookies Help Incirlik Personnel) is to give every permanent-party and deployed unaccompanied airman a bag of home-baked cookies. The cookies have come from a variety of sources.

Classes at the elementary and high schools made dough, bought ingredients or baked cookies. Clubs and organizations, like the high school’s National Honor Society, also contributed. And the biggest boost was from private cookie donations, said Michelle Storch, who helped organize the operation. In a week’s time, more than 200 dozen cookies were delivered to the family support center collection point.

Cookies will be distributed in brown paper bags decorated by children from the elementary school, Brownie troops and youth center, with a note wishing airmen happy holidays.

“It’s our small way to show them that someone cares and they’re not alone,” Storch said.

Volunteers at the baking and packaging session were thankful for the opportunity to help out.

“I feel lucky to be here with my husband and I just want to do what I can for people that will be spending the holidays alone,” said volunteer Michelle Mehta, an instructor with the University of Maryland.

“Our family has friends who are here without families,” said Dominic Gonzaga, age 11. “I think this will cheer them up.”

The cookies will be distributed to unit first sergeants for delivery before Christmas.