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Answering the call: Fairchild Airmen volunteer for community cleanup

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Nearly 60 Fairchild Airmen volunteered their time during "Spokane Gives Week," April 12 to 19, in Spokane, Wash., where they participated in a community-wide initiative designed to celebrate and encourage volunteerism and track volunteer efforts in the community.

"Our Airmen went out to various projects around Spokane planting trees and beautifying homeless shelters while supporting a community that has always supported Fairchild from our very beginning," said Col. Brian Newberry, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "The city asked for our help and we answered."

Of the nearly 2,000 volunteers from across the region, these 60-some Fairchild Airmen joined projects including the Inland Northwest Council Boy Scouts of America Urban Tree Renewal Project, in Meade, Wash., planting 4,200 seedling trees; the Growing Hope Garden Project, in Spokane, where Airmen assisted in efforts that provide a gardening location for homeless and low-income women and fresh produce; and the West Central Episcopal Mission, also in Spokane, where Airmen participated in a painting project for a drop-in center for low-income and homeless neighbors can access computers and various others services.

"I think Airmen here really appreciate the Spokane community, knowing they do so much for us," said Senior Master Sgt. Eryn McElroy, the 92nd Force Support Squadron installation career assistance advisor. "So getting out and being involved in something like this was a great way for us to show how much we appreciate their support."

Spokane Mayor David Condon said in a press release that the event will expand compassion and volunteerism in the community while providing a means to measure the impact of volunteerism, outlining their goal is to get as many people involved in as many volunteer activities as possible. The mayor said he wants people to feel like they can volunteer year-round as he and his team created the community's new service website, www.spokanegives.org, designed to provide opportunities for both organizations and volunteers to demonstrate their compassion in the Spokane community.

"Volunteerism is a part of our core," McElroy said. "Service opportunities like this create better situations, such as painting and cleaning a homeless shelter or planting trees in the community. Service before self is nothing new or different for us -- it's just a part of who we are as Airmen."

For more community volunteer opportunities, visit the city's new website or contact your unit first sergeant.