22,000 Christmas Cookies for Trainees at Goodfellow Air Force Base

Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX -- (GAFB Press Release) Over 40 volunteers gathered at the Taylor Chapel to provide some holiday cheer by filling bags full of cookies for Goodfellow Airmen before they leave for the holidays.

Elaine Sorrell, wife of Jeffery Sorrell, 17th Training Wing vice commander, organized the all-volunteer event. The program was established several years ago and has grown over the past two years.

“Because we have so many students, we really needed to expand and get more cookies,” explained Sorrell. “We went out to the community and, of course, San Angelo loves Goodfellow, so it didn’t take much persuasion. We now have multiple churches, schools, businesses, bakeries, small groups that have just said ‘We want to support the troops and bring cookies.’”

The approximate count was 22,000 cookies that would be distributed in 1,200 bags for students before they travel home for the holidays. The volunteers also prepared large cookie trays for events and activities around the base over the next few days.

Volunteers created an assembly line of bagging and replenishing cookies. Pvt. Kiara Wells, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion trainee, spoke while filling cookie bags.

“I chose to do it because I know right now I want to be home, and we leave [soon], so this is a good thing to do before I leave and go back to my family. I think it’s cool how they have people from each branch to come and help,” continued Wells. “It’s going by really fast. I think we’re all working good together!”