LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As soon as the doors of the old South Dairy Barn open, shoppers rush in for free appliances and clothing. The building is home to the Airman's Attic, open Tuesdays and Thursdays.
With more than 1,700 families registered and up to 90 families visiting, it can get a little crowded. Without the right amount of volunteers to keep things in order, it can also be demanding.
Tech. Sgt. Samuel Young, 1st Component Maintenance Squadron shop supervisor, works primarily at the checkout counter, but attends to other duties in the old barn as well. He has avidly volunteered for the past two years.
While at the customer service counter, he juggled answering phones, accepting donations and assisting customers with their "purchases."
"We are always busy and in need of volunteers. We mostly need help with loading and unloading items," said Young, co-manager of the shop. "Even after a 12-hour shift, I'll still come by and do my part here. For the most part, it is fun and I enjoy it."
Not only is the Airman's Attic a place for active duty Air Force to get free stuff, it is also where dependents can go to socialize and receive help in times of need.
Kendra Weller's husband, Senior Airman Patrick Weller of the 82d Communications Squadron, is currently deployed. As a mother of two, she visits twice weekly to network with others who relate to the life of a military spouse.
"I started coming here to get clothes for the kids and donate them back when they grew out of them," Weller said. "It is a good place for me to be able to vent, while at the same time see old and new faces."
In the wake of a tragic family housing fire at Bethel Manor April 18, three families lost everything and were forced to start over.
Sara Andreano, Airman's Attic manager, helped those families by giving them items they needed. She has been volunteering at the Attic for more than six years.
One of the victims, Staff Sgt. Harry McClure, 735th Supply Chain Management Group, visited the attic to receive the help he needed for his family.
"I just met [Andreano] and she is like my sister. She was willing to open up like she was opening her home," McClure said. "The volunteers are an asset. They are truly needed because you never know when a tragedy can happen."
"We have given, and sometimes it's our turn to receive," McClure continued. "This is a blessed opportunity where others can give. Once we are good with what we have, we will come back to the Attic and continue giving. [The Airman's Attic] is nice to have. It's a real blessing."
McClure said losing the shop due to lack of volunteers would be disastrous.
"How would you feel if you didn't have a cup to drink from, or a sheet to put on your bed, or even a bed?"
The Airman's Attic is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enlisted Airmen E-4 and below and E-5 with dependents are eligible to shop for items. All enlisted members can shop on the last day of each month.
Donations are accepted any time at the drop-off area. Clean, non-damaged items can be donated; however, larger items, such as washers and dryers, are not accepted.
For more information or to volunteer, call the Airman's Attic at 764-1363.