Cookie care packages sweeten holidays for military

In 2004, Diane and Roger Ahrens started "Operation Sweettooth" to sweetly let U.S. military men and women know the country has not forgotten them or their sacrifices.

Ten years have passed and the East Dundee couple, who own Piece-A-Cake Bakery, continue to bake and individually wrap cookies and Rice Krispie treats to thousands of troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and U.S. military hospitals around the world.

Their efforts have already gone beyond a ton of cookies.

During the height of the wars, they shipped the confections all year. Increased orders were shipped for the winter holiday seasons. When troops were being withdrawn, shipments continued to U.S.O. facilities and troops still in harm's way.

This year, not as many boxes are being shipped because not as many American troops are still in war zone, yet some are still being sent.

"We have said 'as long as there are men and women fighting, we'll keep sending,'" Diane said. "This is our labor of love. We do it because we know how important it is to receive a package from home."

Both Roger and Diane served in the U.S. Marines. They remember receiving packages and being just as excited and thankful as current troops are. The Internet, which the Ahrens did not have when they served, lets them know how thankful the recipients of the sugar, chocolate chip and holiday cookies are.

"We always receive emails and letters from people we've sent cookies to. One man who was stationed in Germany and had some of the cookies stopped in the bakery to thank us," Diana said. "That was really nice."

Each box holds at least 100 cookies, so the troops they were ordered for can share them with their friends. When the Ahrenses receive an order at their North River Street business, they do not charge for the cookies. They do ask for donations to pay for mailing fees.

"We haven't had an increase in orders this year with (the fight against ISIS), But we're still sending the boxes," Diane said.

Each shipment takes from a week to 10 days to reach the servicemen and women. The Christmas deadline to place order has passed, but the couple will continue to fill them, so they can arrive for the new year.

For details about Operation Sweettooth, call the bakery at (847) 836-6703 or visit pieceacakebakery.net.