This Christmas, the FC home economics class is continuing the tradition of making cookies for those who give their lives for our freedom. Art and Home Economics teacher Sharon Scharf plans on baking these cookies with her classes for active duty soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan.

According to Nick Baladjanian, ’13, he believes the project is beneficial overall because within the short amount of students’ time, they can make a big impact on those on the receiving end.

“I think it’s a very thoughtful and encouraging thing to do,” Baladjanian said. “It just reminds the soldiers we are always here, overseas to support them. If I was a soldier, I know I would like to receive chocolate chip cookies.”

While this might seem like a small gesture, it can go a long way for a soldier far from home. According to The Fun Times Guide, cookies are one of the best gifts to send to soldiers. This small gift, or even something that people may take for granted, can make a huge difference for an active soldier who will not be home for Christmas.

Butter Maid Bakery (BMB), a family owned and operated bakery since 1955, now offers a way to donate money to send cookie packages to soldiers.

“Our inspiration for sending care packages to soldiers came one day when a close friend of ours asked, ‘Hey! Can you send these cookies to my son in Iraq?'” assistant at Butter Maid Bakery said. “We knew they had an impact when we heard the box was devoured in minutes. Personally hearing from a soldier and close friend how much it meant to him and his fellow soldiers was our driving force.”

This made the BMB cookie company realize how much their service was appreciated.

“From that day forward, our main goal was to do our part for this great country and give as many soldiers as we can, ‘a little taste of back home,'” according to the Butter Maid website. “To let them know we are thinking of them and appreciate what they are doing. We also created our donation program, Operation: Sweetest Appreciation. We created it because we needed a little help to accomplish our goal. We now send thousands of cookie care packages every year, and none of it would be possible without all the generous Americans who donate.”

The Red Cross is just one of many organizations who makes a big difference in the community. Organizations such as these are greatly appreciated by all armed forces.

Morgan Koop, ’16, is a participant in the home ec. class, as well as a participant in this service.

“We are making cookies for soldiers on Monday, Dec. 10th,” Koop said. “We’re making all different kinds of cookies. We’re making sugar cookies, cookies in the shapes of Christmas trees, cookies with icing and lots of stuff. We are sending the cookies to troops in Afghanistan.”

Scharf’s class plans on making a variety of cookies to send to troops. Home EC.’s goal is to thank these men and women for the service they have given to our country. Scharf started this project in response to a world tragedy: 9/11.

“We have been making cookies to send to soldiers since U.S. troops invaded Afghanistan after 9/11,” Scharf said. “My nephew was sent over there, serving with the 82nd airborne. So we made lots of cookies to send to him and the men in his outfit. It’s actually been a history of mine to send cookies to soldiers because I know how it blesses them.”

Scharf also used to send cookies to family members when they were overseas as well.

“My husband was in Vietnam, and I used to send him cookies then too. So it’s since progressed and my son-in-law is also career military, so I always have somebody to send cookies to distribute. So it’s a good demonstration and service project. The soldiers that receive these cookies know that they are coming from a Christian school, so who knows what kind of seeds those little cookies are planting.

Sharon Scharf says that the cookies are going to Josh Hanks, a member of the Air National Guard in Fresno. He is with the rest of the National Guard deployed in Afghanistan. Bessalee Mendoza, the campus volleyball coach, is married to a man also in this military division. However due to a broken foot, he was unable to deploy with the rest of the group.

Sending cookies is not the only way to give to others this Christmas season. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, Toys for Tots and others can also help those less fortunate. During this holiday season, we should all try to bless others as we realize how much we are all blessed.

For more features, read the Dec. 6 article, Hierholzer designs costumes, dedicates time.