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20th LRS shows appreciation to the community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley L. Gardner
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORC E BASE, S.C. --  Following a yearlong tradition of community support, the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently completed another volunteer project for Sumter, S.C.

The Oct. 4, multi-area cleanup was a result of the actions of 20th LRS operations officer Capt. Amanda Femano, who presented Airmen the opportunity to give back to the community.

Femano started the community partnership in Dec. 2012.

In fall 2012, Femano, took on the challenge of creating a partnership with the Sumter parks to get Airmen out of the office to give back to the community.

"The clean-up in December 2012 ended up being a success," said Femano. "Volunteers from the 20th LRS traveled to Swan Lake Gardens and surrounding parks to work for four hours planting 30 new azalea shrubs, weed and re-straw two large flower beds, and remove more than 16 tons of limbs, leaves and debris."

Ray Goodman, Public Services director, wrote a letter of appreciation to the 20th LRS for their efforts, stating;

"Your work not only beautified the areas you worked in," he said, "but having our crews a little ahead of schedule has a 'domino effect,' which in essence allows the entire city to become a little more beautified because of the extra time."

The success of the 2012 service day prompted Femano, to make the grounds upkeep a bi-annual partnership and two cleanups have been executed in 2013.

Working with Goliath Brunson, Swan Lake Gardens public services specialist, Femano arranged for 200 volunteers to spend a morning with grounds maintenance crew completing various projects around the parks.

The squadron cleaned up overpasses, roadsides, parks and a local cemetery that have not been maintained in years.

"I really appreciate the help in the vast range from the squadron," said Goodman. "Your work not only beautified the areas you volunteered in, the entire city became a little more beautified because of the spare time."