CUMMING — Treat the Troops-Southern Style will be holding its final packing event of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 on Dahlonega Highway in Cumming.

Organizers hope to send thousands of homemade cookies, the most popular item, and other treats to military personnel stationed overseas

“We fill the boxes with six to eight dozen homemade cookies, then we fill the nooks and crannies with candy,” Jones said. “We also include cereal bars, instant drink mixes are a huge hit … microwave popcorn, jerky, anything that is portable that they can put in their pockets.”

Thursday’s event is expected to be one of the groups’ largest, and will include a literal ton of candy, along with treats for service animals.

“We are prepared for 500 boxes” Jones said. “That’s going to be 50,000-plus cookies maybe. I have probably a good 2,000 pounds of candy in my garage that several of the schools have donated from Halloween.

“We have a school that has donated over 700 pounds of dog treats for our military dogs.”

According to Jones, the group holds the packing in November to get around the holiday rush.

“Everybody ships in December and it takes much, much longer for the cookies to be received and that compromises [them],” she said.

The group has more than enough packers, Jones said, but those wanting to help can still donate items or write letters.

She added that one area the group usually needs help with is shipping, which can get expensive.

“We always need the postage. At $15.90 per box, our postage we are thinking will be between $6,000 and $7,000,” Jones said. “Every penny donated goes strictly to postage. We take nothing, even for expenses.”