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Annual AbilityOne picnic recognizes outstanding employees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  More than 100 Team Shaw members and guests gathered at the Memorial Lake pavilion here for the 12th annual AbilityOne picnic to honor the exceptional workers of Shaw that partner with the organization Oct. 13.

"Shaw was the first base in the Air Force to begin this recognition picnic," said Judith Croxton, 20th Contracting Squadron director of business operations.

The AbilityOne program is a federal initiative to help people who are blind or have other severe disabilities find employment by working for nonprofit agencies that sell products and/or services to the U.S. government.

"We want to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our AbilityOne employees," said Col. Walter Fulda, 20th Mission Support Group commander. "Shaw has about 200 disabled workers and $9 million in contracts that go straight to the Sumter community from here."

The guest speaker for this year's event was Col. Scott Kiser, Air Combat Command director of contracting.

"Each and every one of you is vital to the Air Force and is important in ensuring our jets get off the run way," said Kiser. "The impact of AbilityOne goes way beyond the Shaw fence line."

This year's AbilityOne award winners were:

AbilityOne performer of the year - Sheryl Tention

AbilityOne performer of the year - Abigail Gaskins