JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Sara Andreano works diligently to provide a variety of household items and resources for incoming military personnel at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. For over 17 years, Andreano has arrived early every Tuesday and Thursday to open Airman’s Attic, using a shopping cart dubbed “Sara’s Ride” to easily maneuver around the store.
In 1985, Andreano was already familiar the military, working as a manager at the local Army and Air Force Exchange in Spokane, Washington. At the young age of 24, Andreano began to notice strange physical limitations that drastically impacted her daily life.
“It was scary because my left collar down to my left foot was numb,” Andreano said. “I still remember on July 4, 1985, I went to scratch my nose and I literally just hit myself hard. I knew something was wrong.”
Andreano visited a doctor who diagnosed her with Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS – a neurological disease affecting the immune system. The prognosis was more than unsettling as not much research had been conducted on the condition at that time.
“[The doctor] basically just told me to go out and live my life,” Andreano said.
Shortly after Andreano’s news, she met her husband, John Andreano. Their whirlwind romance was the answer to her prayers after she penned her betrothed what she refers to as a ‘Dear John’ letter. After one month of dating, the Andreanos were married in October 1985. Three children quickly followed, and Andreano saw a remission in her MS syptoms as she stayed active and motivated while raising her children. She says it was truly valuable having family around to help out while consistently living on an Air Force installation.
“I couldn’t be the person I am today without Christ in my life,” she said. “God brought John and [me] together, and he is a very encouraging and supportive husband.”
Today, as the spouse of a 25-year Air Force veteran, Andreano has enjoyed her volunteer experience at a variety of military service organizations. A longing forcommunity and conversation led her to joining the Airman’s Attic team.
“Our purpose is to serve others and to help our junior enlisted,” Andreano said. “I love coming here every Tuesday and Thursday, helping military families save money.”
Since 2003, Andreano has dutifully volunteered to serve others, providing donated items from Airmen’s Attic to enlisted members and their families. With a close family of employees, many of the volunteers who dedicate their time to the Attic have built friendly relationships with the customers who frequent the shop.
Brian Saunders, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, has been with the attic since 2010. Andreano and Saunders have built a strong working relationship throughout the years, and she relies on him to help maintain the shop.
“At first, she thought I was just coming for EPR bullets,” Saunders said. “Well I kept coming back, and I kept coming back, so she started letting me do the regular job.”
Around this time, Andreano says her condition began to worsen to the point at which she needed two canes to walk. However, she did not allow this setback to keep her from volunteering. Instilled in her character from a young age, Andreano says Matthew 5:16, ‘let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father,’ is where she finds motivation and the verse she continues to live by.
“It’s not just about the stuff – it’s about the whole experience,” said Andreano. “I know there’s a pandemic out there, but as volunteers, we come in here and find some joy.”