Alpharetta First United Methodist Church is collecting two tons of Oreo cookies to send to the U.S. military in Afghanistan. The cookie drive is part of the church’s annual Operation Oreo, which provides service members with a taste of home. It’s the congregation’s way of saying thank you to those who stand in harm’s way to protect our freedoms.
The Oreos will be sent to military chaplains in Afghanistan who will help distribute them to service members stationed at Forward Operating Bases Fentry and Gamberi, and at Shindand, Kandahar and Bagram Air Bases.
Operation Oreo began in 2009 with a chance encounter between Senior Pastor Dr. Don Martin and a young soldier aboard a plane. The soldier was returning from duty in Iraq. When Dr. Martin asked him what he missed most while away, the young man replied, without hesitation, “Oreos, Double Stuf!” Every summer since then, AFUMC has collected and shipped packages of Oreos to service men and women overseas.
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Last summer, the congregation surpassed Dr. Martin’s 3,000-package challenge, donating more than 6,100 packages or Oreos – weighing in at one and a half tons. The church’s goal this year is two tons.
The cookie drive began June 1 and concludes on Sunday, June 29, when stacks of Oreo packages will surround the altar, the choir will perform patriotic music and military veterans will be honored.
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To participate in Operation Oreo and show your gratitude to our military, please drop off Oreo packages at AFUMC offices by Friday, June 27. You may also place them at the altar on June 29. When you attach a thank you note to each package, you’ll ensure that service men and women will know how much they’re appreciated.
AFUMC is located at 69 North Main Street in Alpharetta.
Learn more about Operation Oreo at www.afumc.org/operationoreo or by calling 770-475-5576.
