Ever since her husband joined the army during the Vietnam War, teacher Sharon Scharf began shipping cookies and artwork to soldiers overseas in order to provide encouragement for the troops. This year her home economics and art classes prepared several boxes for shipping.

“Because my son-in-law is in the army he helps to provide names,” Scharf said. “I usually ask the class if they have a friend or relative as well, there are always ways to get names [to send them to].”

Every year, around September and in the beginning of December, the home ec class bake about 22 dozens of cookies and send them in flat-rate boxes to people in the army.

“We send them to support our troops,” Scharf said. “Out of all the things the troops get, what they they appreciate the most are the homemade cookies. The cookies are from a special recipe of mine that include oatmeal, nuts, raisins, chocolate chips and coconut to keep the cookies fresh.”

In addition to the desserts, Scharf has her art classes create encouraging cards for the soldiers as well.

“Some soldiers never get mail and they really treasure the cards,” Scharf said.

After baking the mass amount of cookies, the class then individually wraps them in aluminum foil.

“Baking that many cookies isn’t usually a big deal though, especially because the class gets some to eat as well,” Scharf said. “It takes a couple of weeks for the cookies to get to the soldiers though, so we send them in time for Christmas.”

Along with baking cookies and creating cards, Scharf holds a special ritual before sending them off.

“We know how much the soldiers appreciate them,” Scharf said. “And we always pray over the cookies and for the guys receiving the cookies.”

For more information about home ec and art, e-mail Scharf or read the Oct. 22 articles, Hawaiian shirt garners Fair’s top award or Chalk contest highlights artistic outlet.