Cookie Drive Delivers Taste of Home Published Dec. 19, 2025 By R.J. Oriez 88th Air Force Base Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh -- On a cold, December afternoon, a group of first sergeants and other volunteers fanned out through the dormitories on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Every door was knocked on. If someone answered, they were greeted with a “Merry Christmas!” and handed a paper bag full of Christmas cookies—many of them homemade. If there were no answer, the bag was left hanging on the door handle. Tylee Geitel-Cruz puts the finishing touches on a bag of Christmas cookies Dec. 9, 2025, in the Wright-Patterson USO. Geitel-Cruz was a volunteer helping with the Wright-Patterson Spouses’ Club cookie drive which packaged more than 800 bags to distribute to unaccompanied Airmen, security forces and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, medical clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res It was the culmination of the 25th annual cookie drive sponsored by the Wright-Patterson Spouses’ Club, benefitting the unaccompanied Airmen and Guardians living in the dorms. However, the baked goods went far beyond the dorms as well. “We have had dozens, probably 50 organizations and individuals bringing cookies,” said Cathy Orr, Wright-Patterson Spouses’ Club. “This will go towards all 350 Airmen in the dorms, as well as security forces, the USO Christmas party and we’re gonna give to the hospital.” Orr estimated well over 800 bags were filled by approximately 30 volunteers the day before working at tables spread out in the USO auditorium. Ashley Zelinski was one of the volunteers correlating the thousands of cookies. “I’m here because I love giving back to the Airmen,” Zelinski said. “I was prior enlisted. I know what it’s like to live in the dorms at Christmas and not have any family nearby. I’m looking forward to delivering them tomorrow, because the smallest thing can bring a lot of joy to a single person who might be by themselves. So, for me, this just makes my heart happy.” Airman 1st Class Tarnue Seekpeh, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, stood in the doorway of his dorm room that cold afternoon looking down at the bag of cookies he was just handed. “It’s like a reminder that we’re still thought about,” he said.