Airman’s Attic moves location Published May 1, 2015 By Tiffany Leggett Fairchild Airman's Attic FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Imagine a store where every item is free, regardless of income. Maternity clothing, serviceable uniforms and kitchen appliances all free with a flash of a military ID card. That place is real and it's called the Airman's Attic. Previously located in the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Airman's Attic has found a new home in building 2447. The nonprofit is sponsored by the Inland Northwest Enlisted Spouses Club and ran on the power of volunteers. All enlisted and officers, their dependents and retirees with military identification are able to shop in the store, said Jolene Raciborski, the store manager. The mission of Airman's Attic is to provide quality new and gently used household items to support individuals and families from the military community, especially those in transition. Items found in the store range from kids' toys and dishes to serviceable physical training gear. There is a limit to the number of items per day, however, as staff sergeants and below are able to leave with a total of 100 items per day. Higher ranking service members are limited to a total of 75 items. New hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are open for staff sergeants and below, Thursdays are open to all ranks including retirees. In addition to the morning hours, the first and third Wednesday will be open to all ranks from 5:30 to 7 p.m. allowing individuals who would otherwise miss out on a chance to shop after work. "It is much bigger," said Sherin Davis, the assistant store manager. "We have a separate room to sort through donated items and it adds convenience to the military community." The building also houses the Fairchild Thrift Shop, Recreation Center, Women, Infants and Children program, and Family Care offices. Raciborski said the Airman's Attic thrives on donations. "Last Christmas a retired woman bought all the remaining Christmas trees at the Exchange and donated them. I went around as Santa to families that would have otherwise not had a tree," Raciborski recalled. Each week brand new items are donated, like sound systems and name-brand purses, are raffled off. This way every service member is given the chance to receive high demand items. When asked why, Davis said she volunteers for the Airmen and their families saying, "I started as a customer. It's a great organization. People need clothes, pillows and dishes; it gets expensive. I worked full time and it was still expensive." Raciborski added it was a great way to give back, "I was active duty and this feels like a way for me to continue my service." The store serves 250 to 350 shoppers per month. Foot traffic is expected to increase with the new location. "We are always in need of volunteers. We cannot operate without support," explained Raciborski, "Not a single person gets paid." Two to three people are needed every day to keep the store running. "It can be as small as taking boxes to the recycling center or dropping off unsellable items at Goodwill," she continued. Raciborski encourages high school students who needed volunteer hours and active duty personnel seeking bullets. "It's a great way to meet people, if your spouse is deployed or if you need a mommy or daddy break," she said. Volunteers also have access to free childcare provided through the Air Force Aid Society. Communication with the community is important to the organization. Although they do not have an active phone line, current hours and a full list of donation items are posted on their Facebook page. Raciborski and Davis are happy to respond to questions via their Facebook group, "Fairchild Air Force Base Airman's Attic," or via email at airmansatticfafc@gmail.com.
