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What's in your attic?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Laura LV Claypool
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Putting a spin on the old adage, "one man's trash is another man's treasure," the Shaw Air Force Base Attic is turning gently used donations into needed items that improve the quality of life for enlisted personnel E-5 and below, free of charge.

Officially dubbed the "Airman's Attic" at many Air Force installations across the globe, the 2,415 square foot facility located in the 20th Force Support Squadron Community Center is simply called the Attic because personnel assigned to U.S. Army Central Headquarters here are also eligible to shop items.

During September and October, nearly 900 people shopped at the Attic, taking home approximately 9,500 items.

Ranging from clothing and shoes, to children's toys, books, and household items, patrons are able to take home up to 25 items per family per week, and one bulk item per month. Bulk includes such items as strollers, televisions, outdoor children's toys, and furniture. Each family must register to use the facility by filling out an agreement contract and present a valid ID when checking out.

"The Attic is a place that you can come to for those unexpected needs that always seem to happen just before payday," said Jennifer Kaylor, Shaw Attic coordinator. "Children grew faster than you planned, dishes broke in the move, dog chewed through the cord on your lamp or household goods won't arrive until weeks after you do. All of these things happen and so much more."

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Attic is a volunteer-run organization. Volunteers sort through the thousands of donated items, determining if items are clean, serviceable and prepped. Items that do not meet those criteria are set aside and donated to local charitable organizations.

"Though we ask that all donations be clean and in like-new condition," said Kaylor, "they don't always come in like that and therefore everything must be inspected before it goes out to the floor. We don't accept items that are torn, broken, missing pieces, stained or inappropriate for an establishment where children visit."

There is no washer or dryer, nor the time to mend items, and the Attic isn't the local dump. When people drop-off large broken or outdated items such as televisions, barbecue grills, and broken furniture, it is not easy to find a way to then dispose of them, she said.

One major area of donated items is military uniforms. 

Any military member, regardless of rank, is able to shop the uniform section which includes a selection of ABUs, service dress combinations, boots and dress shoes as well as rank stripes, service patches and decorations. A large selection of Army uniform items is also available.

The exception to the E-5 and below rank restriction is only offered on uniform items; however there is an "all ranks" day offered for all items at the Attic every two months.

Most uniforms are donated for a variety of reasons, from outgrowing a pair to donating an entire military wardrobe when separating from the service, said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Finton, 20th Operations Support Squadron first sergeant.

With a growing number of donations and shoppers, the Attic had a major facelift to make it a more "shoppable" and welcoming facility in July. During a two-week closure, walls were repainted, broken ceiling tiles were replaced, a new layout was arranged, and custom artwork was installed.

"The Attic has been continually undergoing changes over the years to improve on appearance and functionality," said Kaylor. "Each coordinator has come in with new ideas and we wanted to do what we could to make the place look more inviting and organized like a store."

Fifteen volunteers assisted in making the renovations possible.

From January to June there was an average of three to four thousand items taken home monthly; since the renovation those numbers have increased to approximately five thousand.

The increased donations and shoppers enable Kaylor to offer weekly specials based on supply. Many weeks will find a 10-for-one special on books or two-for-one on clothing or toys.

The increase has also benefited a recent need when record-breaking rainfall caused severe flooding across Shaw AFB and the surrounding communities during the first week of October.

"Wing leadership felt it would be a great avenue for the many Airmen and soldiers in the Sumter and Columbia areas who were affected to be able to pick up items to sustain themselves during temporary displacements and house repairs," said Finton.

"Everything that comes into the Attic has been donated by military families and it all goes back out to military families," said Kaylor.

By providing needed items - from the random to the required - for Team Shaw personnel and their families, the Shaw AFB Attic is offering up more than donated items for the taking; they are ensuring every item has the chance to become another person's treasure.