Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Summers
Hi Marlene, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2003 I met a young man, who would have a big impact on my life. We met at my golf course. I was getting ready for a tournament, and he was on staff with outside services. He was friendly, and about the same age as my son. We had a pleasant conversation, and when I was finished with my practice, I told him I would see him next week after the tournament. He looked at me saying, “No Maam, I will be deployed to Iraq next week.” His response shocked me. As I drove home in my golf cart that evening I thought about him, and his family. I thought about his mother sending her son off to war. I decided to meet his family, and send support to him, and his buddies while they were deployed. Our correspondence during his deployment was normally more about receiving the care packages, and how much they enjoyed the support. One day I received an email that broke my heart about morale becoming very low. That is when the Good Lord stepped in and reminded me of all the care packages filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies from my Grammy when I was in college. Opening up her box of cookies, and reading her beautiful handwritten letters always brightened my day and brought a smile to my face. That is how “Grammy’s Cookie Convoy” was born. It continues to honor my “Grammy,” and also Michael Johnson, the young man I met so many years ago. It is hard for me to imagine that we will celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2025. We have shipped nearly 350,000 cookies all over the world, and to 9 different carriers. When I feel like this is such a small gesture, and wonder if it should be continued, I take a few minutes to read some of the correspondence, and responses that I have received from the Troops. I am left to wonder no more. The gratitude they share is overwhelming. I have learned that sometimes even the smallest gesture can make the biggest impact.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has had many twists, and turns with a few bumps along the way. The project had small beginnings, which were easier to manage. When the goal became to reach thousands of deployed military members the logistics clearly presented its own set of challenges. Finding a bakery that would contract with us to provide 10,000 gourmet chocolate chip cookies at one time proved almost impossible, until Jean Kroll with I LOVE SWEETS in Illinois stepped in to answer that need. This project could not continue without her huge generous heart.
The next goal of providing a handwritten message with each cookie, like my Grammy always sent with her care packages when I was in college proved enormously challenging. Receiving a call from Mo Buchanan with The Morning Bull 100.3 FM radio changed that. Their “10k for the Troops” campaign asking their listeners to send in handwritten letters to the troops is such an important part of our effort. This year, they collected over 70,000 messages.
We were overjoyed, and overwhelmed at the same time, because it required proofreading all of those letters before shipping them with the cookies. Enter the best friends, and family ever to help. Lots of laughter, tears, and joy reading all the special messages from so many great Americans back home. It warmed my heart knowing how much the Troops would enjoy reading the messages, while chowing down on all those cookies.
Trying to cover all the shipping costs, etc. was one of our biggest hurdles. Through the generosity of others who embrace the opportunity to support those who protect us, and freedom around the world we have been able to successfully achieve our Super Bowl Sunday Shipment of 10,000 cookies every year.
In the middle of trying to build this project, and send as much support as possible I ran into a major health issue, which would have derailed the program, had it not been for so many volunteer Angels, who stepped in to keep it going. When I corresponded with the Troops that I might have to suspend the program, they began sending me support. I thought about them serving in the middle of a war zone, and still trying to send me encouragement. Quite a profound moment for me!
I have learned so much from the difficult moments. The best part is that I have been surrounded by Angels throughout this journey. The project was born from a chance meeting, and a prayer. It continues to be the same 20 years later.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our work supporting the military Troops continues with our upcoming annual Super Bowl Sunday shipment of 10,000 cookies, cards, and letters. We are working hard to proofread all the letters before sending them to the Troops. With the help of 75 to 100 volunteers on packing day, we will put all the boxes together, pack up all the cookies, bag all the letters, and fill out all the custom forms before they make their trip to the post office. The journey from there begins to destinations all over the world.
After supplying volunteers for the Men’s Big XII Conference Golf Championship, and the Spirit Golf Association’s Spirit International at Whispering Pines, we will focus on the upcoming Grammy’s Cookie Convoy Charity Golf Tournament. The event is the only fundraiser we host. Because of COVID we have been unable to have the tournament the last three years, so the success of the tournament this year will be all important.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My only advice would be to ignore the naysayers, and all the No’s you will hear. Avoid the people who say, “There is no way,” and search for the people who will say, “Let’s find a way.” Enjoy the journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grammyscookieconvoy.com
- Instagram: Grammyscookie
- Facebook: Grammy’s Cookie Convoy
- Other: LinkedIn – Grammy’s Cookie Convoy
