Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms prepare Easter/Passover packages

The Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms are gearing up to send out the next round of Passover/Easter boxes of cookies on April 7 to deployed troops serving the United States. Each troop has members from the local community as well as from other states.

An informal group of women interested in supporting U.S. troops far away from home was first formed in 2010 by local realtor Pat Murphy along with Patty Strecker and Karen Copperberg. They officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in March 2023 with 64 members.

The "Cookie Momsters" as they have come to be known, gather five times a year ahead of holidays such Valentine's Day, Easter/Passover, D-Day/Flag Day/Memorial Day/4th of July, Halloween and Christmas/Hanukkah to create care packages to send out to deployed troops.

Each box includes home baked goods, personal care items, inspirational sayings, a copy of the Left Hand Valley Courier, and a letter with each box explaining why the box is being sent and how much the members of the group appreciate the jobs they do to keep our citizens safe and free.

Karen Copperberg is one of the driving forces behind this long-standing project. She said, "I write the letters we send to the troops, one in each box, tailored to the season or holiday, get copies of the Courier, provide 30 or so treats individually in baggies, and help with packing."

She continued, "Patty Strecker also includes a cut out embroidered star from a retired American flag, provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution so the troops can carry a little piece of home with them." Current officers of the group include President Copperberg, Vice President Murphy, and Secretary/Treasurer Strecker.

Twenty-five to thirty boxes are sent each time with an estimated total of 2,000 boxes sent since 2010. Each mailing currently costs about $500 due to the large variety of locations to which they are sent, with costs largely covered by the generosity of Niwot attendees at Rock & Rails and by donations from helping with the 4th of July Bert's Pancake Breakfast.

The care packages are sent to make a difference in the lives of the soldiers deployed. Copperberg shared a message from a soldier stationed in Poland which read, "[I] promptly shared most of the goodies with other soldiers! Thank you for everything but especially the Left Hand Valley Courier. I love reading about the local happenings."

Another grateful servicemember wrote, "Good morning Niwot Cookie Momsters! A giant C-17 cargo aircraft delivered both of your boxes full of Valentine's cookies and treats yesterday evening."

Copperberg said, "We get new addresses all the time from friends, family, and word of mouth. You wouldn't believe how many troops are deployed, at any given time, in places you'd have to look up on a map." Many of the Niwot Cookie "Momster" members have family members who are former or active duty service men and women.

The project is always looking for new names and addresses of troops deployed serving the country.