HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 spouses baked thousands of cookies to raise money for the families of two EOD sailors who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
The spouses set up shop at several Hampton Roads Navy Exchanges, Aug. 19, in an effort to raise $10,000 for the families. Volunteers baked chocolate chip, brownies, snicker doodles, cranberry oatmeal, sugar cookies and host of other flavors for almost a week preparing for the sales, while other volunteers watched children, ran errands and asked for donations.
“Without the volunteers this could not have happened,” said bake sale organizer Amanda Loeffler. “A lot of amazing people stepped up and provided support. Our goal is to raise $10,000 that will go directly to the memorial funds."
Senior Chief Petty Officer Kraig Vickers and Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Null were on board the helicopter when it went down.
Vickers was a native of Kokomo, Hawaii, and enlisted in the United States Navy in November 1996. Vickers completed EOD training September 1998 and was assigned to several EOD teams prior to serving with an East Coast special warfare unit from February 2005 to August 2011.
Null was a native of Washington, W. Va., and enlisted in the United States Navy September 2000. Chief Null completed EOD training May 2001 and was assigned to several EOD teams prior to serving with an East Coast special warfare unit in January 2009.
“I feel like whatever we can do will help,” said Loeffler. “I know what we do will not bring them back, but if we can help the families cover the cost of unexpected expenses during this challenging time I think that will help a lot.”
Loeffler said the wives will continue to bake and sell cookies until they meet their $10,000 goal, “and maybe longer.”