Cliff Buchan
News Editor

When Paulette Smith launched herself into a cookie drive for the troops late last month, she really didnít know what awaited her.

Her time was short and the details were many, but Smith was undaunted in doing something positive to help make Christmas brighter for U.S. troops serving in Iraq.

And brighter it will be now that Smith has wrapped up a highly successful Christmas cookie drive.

ìOh, my gosh!î Smith exclaimed in the hours following the work night at American Legion Post 225.

Some 75 volunteers showed up last Thursday night to package, box and label 116 shipping cartons that were gently packed with more than 8000 cookies.

In the days ahead, 23 military personnel from the greater Forest Lake area will receive the care packages from home.

A nurse stationed at a military hospital in Germany where wounded U.S. personnel are treated will also get cookies for distribution to hospital patients.

Each carton will carry the following message: ìWeíre proud of each and every one of you. Love, the Forest Lake community,î Smith said.

In expressing thanks to the community, Smith said it was touching to see so many senior citizens who found ways to help.

Wonderful event

ìI thought it was just fabulous,î Smith said of the community effort that was pulled off with few hitches last week.

ìThere were more people there than I got calls from,î she added.

While Smith spearheaded the drive and led the efforts to collect funds to pay for U.S. Postal Service shipping to Iraq, many individuals and businesses stepped in to help, she said.

For two days area residents came by the American Legion, dropping off home-baked and store-purchased cookies by the dozen. The deliveries quickly filled tables in a Legion hall.

By Thursday night, the volunteers streamed in to take care of the next step. With assembly line precision the dozens and dozens of packages of cookies were readied for shipping.

In two hours, 116 boxes were ready to go.

Along with the cookies, funds donated by the community were essential, Smith said. The short-notice fund drive collected just over $1000 in about 10 days.

The funds came in form of pocket change and bills stuffed in donation cans, but also were donated by Smithís neighbors and came from the businesses she contacted.

ERA Muske Co. kicked in $300. Blacksmith Auto Body contributed $125 and the Forest Lake Chamber donated $90. H. Winnick Co., Forest Lake Floral, Bracht Chiropractic and Tires Warehouse all made donations.

Post 225 donated its facilities for the cookie drop and work site and teamed with VFW Post 4210 here to endorse the Smith effort for the troops and provide encouragement.

Why she did it

The idea to do the drive came in late November as Smith monitored news reports from Iraq. She also knew that 20-year-old twin brothers Ryan and Aaron Schmidt of Forest Lake were serving in Iraq. The twins are close friends with Smithís son, Zach, also 20.

ìThey were my inspiration to do this,î Smith said of the Schmidt brothers. ìIíve known them since they were in the sixth-grade.î

During Thanksgiving weekend, the Forest Lake woman decided to give the drive a try.

ìThanksgiving weekend I could not sleep,î she said, remembering all the details that were swirling through her mind.

ìI like to do things like this,î Smith said. ìAll it takes is one person to get the ball rolling.î

With a successful drive now behind her, Smith said she is toying with the idea of doing it again next year. With more time to plan, she believes she can obtain more names and addresses of troops serving in Iraq who would welcome a care package from home.

And after last weekís strong statement of support, she is more than convinced that the community is willing to help.

ìNext time we can do more,î Smith says.

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