Hanscom Airmen and local Girl Scouts join forces for Operation Cookie Drop

  • Published
  • By Jessica Casserly
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Approximately 600 Girl Scouts and their families, along with 42 military and civilian volunteers from Hanscom, gathered here March 21 to distribute nearly 30,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to military and veteran organizations.

Cookie donations were collected through the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts' Cookies for a Cause program, which allows the Girls Scouts to accept donations for military organizations, food pantries and other local charities. Hanscom has hosted the Operation Cookie Drop event several times since its inception following 9/11, providing an opportunity for the Girl Scouts to deliver their donations in person to some of the military members and veterans their program supports.

For military members like Senior Master Sgt. Shon Teicheira, Force Support Squadron superintendent and Readiness NCO and the lead Hanscom coordinator for the event, hosting the cookie drop on base is important.

"This is our chance to really say 'thank you' for everything face-to-face and not just through a card or email," Teicheira said. "It says more to a person when you can look in their eyes and really express how appreciative you are for their constant support of what we do as military members."

Having the opportunity to meet and thank some of the service members they have been collecting donations for during their annual cookie program is just as important to the Girl Scouts, said Barbara Fortier, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts chief operations officer.

"This event gives the girls an opportunity to connect with members of the military and to express their gratitude for what the military provides," Fortier said. "It also makes it more real for them to meet and talk with service members who represent role models for the girls."

This year, event organizers also focused on incorporating military children into the cookie drop to allow them to see firsthand the Girl Scouts' appreciation for their families' sacrifices.

"Many times military children hear someone in the local community thanking their parent for serving our country, but the children may not understand the meaning behind it," Teicheira said. "It is different for our military children to get a 'thank you' from one of their peers. I think it carries a lot more weight and meaning behind the message."

In addition to delivering cookies and spending time with Hanscom Airmen, the Girl Scouts also had the opportunity to make cards that will be sent along with some of the cookies to deployed military members.

Hanscom Youth of the Year, Brenna Gonsalves, spoke at the cookie drop and expressed her gratitude for the positive things the Girls Scouts have done for military families through Cookies for a Cause and Operation Cookie Drop. Teicheira echoed her sentiments.

"The Girl Scouts spent a long time out in the cold during the winter selling cookies and asking many individuals if they would like to support the military by buying a box or two, but not really knowing who that box would go to," Teicheira said. "I think this carried a huge message for our military children."

Fortier hopes this event is one that will stay with the girls and Team Hanscom long after the last box of cookies has been delivered.

"Hopefully the Airmen recognize that a lot of people support their efforts," Fortier said. "This event is about building bridges and instilling community service spirit in our Girl Scouts."