Township, East Dundee bakery team up again to send food to soldiers

The Dundee Township Senior Center and the Piece-A-Cake Bakery in East Dundee have teamed up once again to spread the holiday cheer.

For the past year, volunteers from the center have helped Roger and Diane Ahrens, owners of the bakery, package and ship thousands of cookies that are sent to troops all over the world, especially those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Though the Ahrenses - who are both Marines - have been sending packages since 2004, the job quickly became too expensive and time-consuming for the bakery staff to take on.

Now, the senior center donates use of its space as well as a number of volunteers a couple of times a month.

"Since the seniors have taken over, they wrap the cookies individually, pack them and then have them shipped off," Diane Ahrens said. "It has taken a huge burden off me. Now we ship cookies every other Monday."

Operation Sweet Tooth has shipped about three tonnes of cookies in the last four years, Ahrens said.

Last week, more than 20 seniors packaged about 55 boxes of cookies to send overseas. Those boxes also included a little extra holiday cheer in the form of lip balm, Christmas cards, candy canes and small decorated Christmas trees.

The cookies come in smiley face and heart-shaped varieties.

Though the final holiday shipments were sent out last week, the volunteers could always use a little help with shipping costs.

Each box costs about $20 to send. Ahrens said Operation Sweet Tooth will pick up again once the holiday season is over.

If you would like to send a package to a loved one or need more information, call the Dundee Township Senior Center at (847) 551-4307 or contact the bakery at (847) 836-6703.

Congrats: A "well done" should be sent out to the public safety department in West Dundee for a very successful National Night Out event, which recently received national recognition as one of the best.

The event, which aims to bring awareness to public safety and the role local residents can play, is held on the first Tuesday night of August.

West Dundee finished in the top 10 of towns with populations of less than 15,000. Not a bad finish for the first-time entrants.

I didn't have the chance to speak with Sgt. Andy Wieteska for the short story about the village's achievements, so I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate Andy on all of his hard work in organizing the event and the post-event awards submission.

Those I spoke with at the station said Andy truly poured his heart and soul into the application and that he really deserved much of the credit.

West Dundee's night out attracted about 3,500 guests, who participated in events like the dunk tank. A number of people were successful in dunking officers into the tank below.

Since I will be on vacation for the next three weeks, I want to wish everyone a safe and fun holiday season. I will be back in the New Year to keep readers up-to-date on the happenings in Dundee Township.