‘Operation Cookie’ Remains Victim of Pandemic, But Looking For Alternatives

The Woman’s Club of South Pasadena will not be able to deliver cookies to veterans in need this year, as coronavirus restrictions continue to be enforced. Instead, club members are looking for alternative ways to continue Operation Cookie, where they used to give away thousands of cookies and volunteer for various community events for veterans.

An open letter addressed to supporters who have been donating cookies and other goods to past Operation Cookie events said “continuing concerns and limitations on gatherings related to the coronavirus” would make the Club’s usual assembly line and labor-intensive cookie packing operation impossible.”

“There is no way to do it virtually! We are looking into alternatives and welcome your suggestions that would enable us to continue this important tradition and individually thank the hospitalized veterans,” the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena said in a statement. “In the meantime, we will notify our contacts at the VA hospitals, veteran homeless centers, Wounded Warriors Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Military Women in Need (MWN), the Jimmy Miller Foundation that provides veterans with Ocean Therapy, the VFW and other groups to let them know we will not be delivering your cookies to them this Memorial Day.”

The letter also invited members of the community to provide suggestions on other alternatives that may allow the club to continue to serve veterans. All suggestions may be relayed through  Beverly Biber by calling or texting (213) 300 9305.

“We look forward to you being a part of ‘Operation Cookie’ 2022 and hope you will have a safe and healthy year,” the statement added. “Don’t forget to thank a veteran, front line workers and first responders.”

At any given year during Memorial Day, the Woman’s Club delivers cookies and other goodies in decorated containers to an average of 2,000 veterans, most of whom are confined due to spinal cord injuries, PTSD, and general post-surgery convalescence, or are under hospice care. Cookies are also delivered to the Wounded Warriors Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

To learn more about the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, visit www.thewcsp.org.

The archival photo above republished with permission from “Cookies & Volunteers Needed for “Operation Cookie,” May, 2018