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Cookie Caper 'elves' set up headquarters at O'Club

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Tracey Saiki
  • Chief, 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  The labels read, "May you feel the warmth and joy of the season. From your Hickam AFB Ohana."

Each label was placed upon a specially-designed paper bag filled with a variety of freshly home-baked cookies waiting to be delivered into the hands of a special Airman at the dormitories.

The Cookie Caper Headquarters was in full-production at the Hickam Officers' Club Dec. 10. Enthusiastic Cookie Caper Elves were strategically placed at curb-side cookie drop-off points. The cookies then went to a quality assurance/sorting station and bag assembly line. Their goal: 400 bags with a dozen cookies each. If you do the math, that's 4,800 cookies.

"We asked for cookie donations and volunteers via Hickam e-Notes, the Kukini, and base chapel announcements," said "Mrs. Elf" Pam Morgan, who has been involved with cookie capers for 16 years. Her husband, Col. Jeff Morgan, serves as the 15th Operations Group commander here, and as a part of the Officer's Spouses Club Mrs. Morgan, like many other spouses here, loves to get involved - especially around the holidays.

"It just feels good to do something special for the young Airmen," she said. "I appreciate their service and commitment to the Air Force."

A steady flow of cookies were delivered continuously throughout the morning. Delicious flavors started stacking up: chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar with sprinkles, oatmeal raisin, shortbread, macaroons, and every sweet treat associated with the holiday season.

"I do this because it's important for our Airmen in the dorms to know that we care; especially those who will not be going home for Christmas," said "Mrs. Elf" Ann Recker. Her husband, Chief Master Sgt. Craig Recker, is the 15th Airlift Wing command chief. As the most senior enlisted advisor to the wing commander, he has been through every enlisted rank with his wife by his side. Mrs. Recker has seen and understands what the Airmen go through, and becomes even more involved around the holidays.

"We get to deliver the Aloha spirit to our men and women who are away from their families," said "Mrs. Elf" Lisa Eaton, wife of Lt. Col Casey Eaton, 15th Operations Group deputy commander.

The bags were decorated by fifth- and sixth-grade students from Nimitz and Hickam Elementary Schools. Common phrases like "Mele Kalikimaka," "thinking of you," and "hope these cookies make you happy" adorned the bags, with icons of Santa in a grass skirt waving the "shaka" sign, dolphins, crabs, reindeer in surf shorts, snowmen sitting on the beach, and palm trees.

"I just love and appreciate our Airmen," said "Mrs. Elf" Joanie Howe a veteran cookie caper whose husband is in the U.S. Pacific Command. They have been stationed in Hawaii for five years, and she enjoys being a part of this every year.

Another "Elf" volunteered for the Cookie Caper because last year he was in the dorms here and was on the receiving end. Senior Airman William Watkins, a 15th Communications Squadron member from Savannah, Tenn., is no longer in the dorms but remembered how wonderful it felt to receive a bag of cookies last year.

"You don't always get stuff like this in the dorms," he said. "This was the right thing [for me] to do."