TREAT THE TROOPS, 2024 BY NIKKI HOFFMAN

Our brave soldiers are deployed across 178 countries on every continent. Active-duty military personnel serving outside the United States number more than 170,000 men and women. They don’t get to go home after work. The comforts of home are what our soldiers miss most.

Home-baked cookies are high on that list. Treat The Troops is a national, non-profit program. All donations go toward providing deployed troops with boxes of cookies and personal notes of appreciation and encouragement. There are no administrative expenses.

Harbor Hills residents are leading the local effort to provide deployed military personnel with a welcome taste of home. Last year, 155 boxes containing 14,880 home-baked cookies were sent to deployed military personnel in Honduras, Romania, three locations in Japan, the Horn of South Africa, Kenya, military ships, and several undisclosed locations. We welcome and value the support from our friends in The Villages and neighboring communities.

The names of deployed soldiers are needed to send cookies. To request a form with your soldier’s name and information, contact Roseann Cochran at 505-385-9283 or rcochran479@gmail.com. Names must be submitted as soon as possible so the volunteers know how many boxes and labels are needed. Mailing one box costs $23.00 with the military discount. To find out more about Treat The Troops, go to treatthetroops.com.

Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast at the picturesque Harbor Hills Country Club. Limited seating is available. Call 352-753-7000 to purchase your nonrefundable tickets.