The Cookie Lady of Hilton Head

Two ladies seated at a shaded table behind the 18th grandstand here at Harbour Town Golf Links weren't getting much business when I walked past Friday afternoon, and it made me feel embarrassed.

They were selling cookies to raise money to send boxes of cookies to American soldiers overseas as part of Treat the Troops, a non-profit program that was started by Hilton Head Island resident Jeanette Cram, who's been doing this since the first Gulf war. It's an all-volunteer effort to support U.S. soldiers.

Jeannette is the Cookie Lady, and her helpers are officially known as the Crumbs. Friday, her crumbs behind the 18th green were having only modest success convincing spectators to buy a homemade cookie for $1 or sponsor a box of homemade cookies to be mailed to soldiers.

Their sign featured photos and notes of thanks from soldiers. Here was one from the Seabees: "Our appreciation is beyond words. A single cookie is enough to make my fellow troops realize again why we are here."

Here's another from a soldier named Tim: "Today, you made a bunch of Marines smile."

A staff sargeant stationed in Afghanistan expressed his deep thanks and wrote, "I shared the cookies with my whole platoon!"

Cram and her Crumbs make the batter, bake the cookies, pack them and ship them to soliders stationed around the world. They also include notes and letters from those who donate.

One more note from a solider in Iraq: "There are solders here who go all year and don't receive a package. It makes a difference!"

For details, go to treatthetroops.org. It's a 501 (c) (3) charity. I spent my recent NCAA basketball pool winnings to sponsor some boxes. How about you?