Bakery closed, but Operation Sweettooth goes on

Roger and Diane Ahrens will not let their health or business troubles stand between them and their work to give U.S. military men and women treats for the winter holidays.

This month, the owners of Piece-A-Cake Bakery, who are both former U.S. Marines, baked and decorated an extreme cake for 1,500 patients at Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Hospital in Chicago.

Using 100 pounds of yellow and chocolate cake mixes and 100 pounds of frosting, they delivered and served the confection to the patients on Nov. 8 in honor of Veterans Day and the 235th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.

And even though the Illinois Department of Revenue closed their North River Street bakery in East Dundee and the one in Gilberts, they plan to continue “Operation Sweettooth” this year. Holiday cookies and Rice Krispie treats will be mailed to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as those in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

The center is a U.S. military hospital.

“We're not stopping,” Diane Ahrens said. “We're not selling the treats, so we're not doing anything wrong. All we're asking for is a $20 donation for the shipping costs.”

This summer, state officials closed the stores, claiming the couple owes more than $20,000 in 2009 payroll taxes. That was the same year Roger was treated for cancerous tumors on his adrenaline gland and Diane underwent open-heart surgery. They are still promising and close to reopening the East Dundee store, Roger said.

Meanwhile, their benevolence is not stopping nor are the thank-you letters and support from the troops. The couple has been sending the cookies year round for more than 10 years. They didn't stop after state officials closed the stores.

“It's important that we continue,” Roger Ahrens said. “We both were away from home serving in the military. When you get a package from home, it really can make your day.”

The families of the military men and women give the Ahrenses their loved ones' names and addresses. Each package does not contain just one dozen, but three and four dozens of oversized treats. That way they can be shared.

They planned the size of the cake at Hines Veterans Hospital to be big enough with the same idea in mind: everybody will receive something.

With no employees, Diane and Roger baked the cake themselves. They do the same when baking the cookies, but they pack and ship them with the help of members of the Dundee Township Senior Center.

Cookie orders should be made as soon as possible for troops to receive them by Thanksgiving. Christmas cookie orders should be made by Dec. 6. Call (847) 836-6703 to place an order.