10,000 Sweet Martha's to the Troops!

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December 18, 2006

NEWS RELEASE

TROOPS IN IRAQ TO RECEIVE

A TASTE OF HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

10,000 chocolate chip cookies are being donated by Sweet Martha’s Cookies to servicemen and women in Iraq for Christmas in a joint effort with WCCO Radio, Blue Star Mothers of America and the Exchange Clubs of Minnesota.

The adventure started with a phone call on October 24^th at 3:10 AM on WCCO Radio from a soldier serving the 3^rd Marine division who is going back for his fourth tour of duty in Iraq.

During the On-Air conversation, Brad Walton, the host, asked the soldier, “What resonates universally when it comes to support the troops at Christmas time?” The soldier replied, “Chocolate chip cookies!” There was a notable change in the tone and feeling in the soldier’s voice. “I could tell that this would be something that would touch the troops in a very meaningful way. A healing vote of affirming love and support,” said Walton.

The following week, Walton contacted Martha Rossini-Olson of “Sweet Martha’s” cookies to see how many he could buy and get to the troops for Christmas. Martha responded by saying, “I want to donate 10,000 cookies to the troops.” From that point on, Walton said that he knew this was something that was supposed to happen.

He then contacted Chaplain Major John Morris of the Minnesota National Guard, Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, Cindy McLean, president of one of the three local chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America and Otto Bang with the Exchange Clubs of Minnesota.

“Everyone has jumped on board with great enthusiasm.” said Walton. “This is about the good neighbor magic of WCCO radio and some very, very generous hearts!”

Along with the cookies, there will be 10,000 cards designed by local Air Force veteran, Richard Glasgow, who recently designed a card of gratitude designed to thank those who have served and are serving in the armed forces. Ross Perot has paid for the printing of 1,000,000 of these “Dear American Hero” cards of appreciation. The cards simply say, “I am not certain as to how to express my gratitude for all you have done to secure my freedom. Please accept this simple card as a small token of my appreciation.” It is then signed, “A grateful American citizen”.

The cookies will be baked starting at 7:00 AM on Thursday, December 21^st at St. Thomas Academy and the Visitation School in Mendota Heights by Martha of Sweet Martha’s Cookies. Martha will be joined by members of the Blue Star Mothers of America and the Exchange Clubs of Minnesota at 1:00 PM so that the cookies can be packed and sent out with lots of love in U.S. Priority Mailers for shipment to a central location in Iraq for distribution to the troops.

The shipping costs for the postage are being covered in full by a generous donation coordinated by Ray Mlinar from the Exchange Clubs of Minnesota.