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Airmen helping Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vincent A. Mouzon
  • 20 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  One of Shaw's unknown treasures for young Airmen is the Airmen's Attic. The Airmen's Attic helps Airmen and families by offering shopping and augmenting their quality of life at no cost. The Airmen's Attic is located in building 1402 and is open Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., depending on volunteer availability. The new facility, setup in July, is larger and gives them more flexibility to store items longer and to serve more customers.

"I think the Airmen's Attic benefits Airmen because you don't have to come out of pocket for a lot of uniform items," said Senior Airman Teresa Lott, 20th Fighter Wing Command Section Knowledge Operation Manager. "You can get boots, dress shoes, blues and even maternity uniforms."

The Airmen's Attic is for active-duty servicemembers, E-5 and below and their immediate family members. Everyone who comes into the Airmen's Attic must present a valid military identification card. Airmen may shop once a week. There are limits on the amount of items taken to ensure availability to other Airmen.

The Airmen's Attic is always looking for nice, gently used items to put on their shelves. Most donations range from baby items, kitchenware, toys, infant and adult clothing, back packs, sports equipment, shoes, electronics, movies and books. The Airmen's Attic also receives furniture donations that are available on a sign up basis. The Airmen's Attic also has a uniform closet that can only be accessed only by active-duty military members. These items are free of charge and helps offset the cost of some of the functions Airmen are required to attend.

"The volunteers spend so much time and effort outside of the normal hours sorting donations, taking out trash and keeping the facility clean," said Mags Dearduff, 20th Force Support Squadron Airmen's Attic advisor. "There is a lot of hard work that goes into this facility that most people don't understand. This facility is run off the amazing generosity of the community and all of those who remember what it was like trying to get by on a very limited amount of income. The all volunteer force that keeps this facility running smoothly is the biggest asset we have and we could not operate without them."

The Airmen's Attic would like to expand its hours for night shifts to help accommodate those who can't make the day shifts. Any military ID card holder can volunteer to work at the Airmen's Attic. Volunteers work directly for the Volunteer Coordinator. For more information call April Walsh, Volunteer Coordinator, at 895-4877.