LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley's command chief and first sergeants honored two volunteers for their efforts at the Airman's Attic during a presentation here June 12.
During the presentation, Mrs. Sara Andreano and Ms. Brenda Fisher received awards in appreciation for their contributions of more than seven years of volunteerism to the Attic.
"One of the things I love about the Air Force is the spirit of volunteerism, not just from our great Airmen, but from civilians who want to support our great Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. James MacKinley, 1st Fighter Wing command chief. "Sara and Brenda have given a lot of their personal time to take care of our young Airmen."
Both volunteers were appreciative of the recognition; however, Ms. Fisher said Mrs. Andreano, who has volunteered since 2003, deserves the credit for all of her hard work at the Attic.
Ms. Fisher began helping Mrs. Andreano in 2006, after she found out about the Airman's Attic from her son Ben, who volunteered there through the Red Cross Volunteer program. When Ms. Fisher found out Mrs. Andreano needed someone to run the computer or the Attic would close, she decided to help.
In the tradition of keeping volunteerism in the family, Mrs. Andreano's son has also joined the list of Langley volunteers.
Mrs. Andreano's son Michael is the project leader for the Airman's Attic Eagle Scout program. The program consists of a group of local scouts who volunteered to replace the wooden shelves with new steel ones. The group has completed two sessions, with one forthcoming in order to complete the project.
But the Attic is more than just a place for people to volunteer.
"The Airman's Attic is not just a place to get items; it's also a social network where people can find out about childcare, the local area, and make friends," Ms. Fisher said. "It's a help to all the Airmen and their families. When the guys are deployed, the families can come here."
Langley's Attic also helps by providing needed items to Airmen and their families at no cost.
Airman 1st Class Adam Nicola, 1st Maintenance Group computer system administrator, said the Airman's Attic has helped him and his wife.
"It's gotten (us) a lot of things for the kitchen; essentials that we needed," he said. "My wife got a lot of (items) she could really use," he said.
The Airman's Attic is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enlisted ranks E-4 and below and E-5 with dependents can shop for free items on these days. All enlisted members can shop for items on the last day of each month.
People who would like to volunteer can visit the Attic during operating hours; however, in order for volunteers to continue providing needed items to Airmen and their families, the Airman's Attic is also seeking donations.
People can donate clean, nondamaged, ready-to-use items during operating hours; however, the Airman's Attic is not accepting stoves, washers, dryers and other large appliances.
For more information, call the Airman's Attic at 764-1363.