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Enlisted Spouses Club steps up to keep Airman's Attic running

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mary O'Dell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE-Wash. --  Starting this month, Team Fairchild Enlisted Spouses Club members will be spending their free time as volunteers, keeping the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Airman's Attic up and running.

Due to fiscal year budget changes, contracted positions are no longer being supported and the Airman's Attic is facing potential closure. The ESC is filling this void by volunteering, but is also seeking help from the base populous. 

"Rank and duty titles aside, everyone can use some help once in a while," said Jolene Raciborski, the ESC vice-president and now, Airman's Attic manager. "We are happy to provide this service to Fairchild families and give back to the base in any way we can."

The Airman's Attic provides active-duty, guard and reserve military members, retirees, spouses and dependents of any branch the opportunity to find clothing items, including uniforms, shoes, purses, electronics, and furniture among many other miscellaneous items, all for free.

Members E-5 and below are allotted 50 clothing items and 50 miscellaneous items per month. E-6 and above are allotted 50 clothing items and 25 miscellaneous items per month. Electronics and furniture are available for E-5 and below only.

Since the Airman's Attic is strictly run by volunteers, the new hours will be:

· Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for members E-5 and below
· Open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all ranks.
· Closed Mondays and Fridays aside from donation drop-offs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

"Members transitioning from another base to Fairchild during the winter could be unprepared for the cold weather, especially if coming from a warmer base," Raciborski said. "The Airman's Attic gives them an opportunity to keep their family warm while settling in and not breaking the bank as the cost of moving is not cheap."

ESC President, Sherin Davis, said that she and her husband used the Airman's Attic as a young newlywed couple and were extremely grateful for the opportunity to take advantage of the help other people were offering.

"It's a pay-it-forward situation over and over again and I believe it to be character building in a sense," Davis explained. "Being able to help another military family through whatever they need help with and continuously sharing and recycling the help is a great feeling."

The ESC members said while their goal now is to get the ball rolling smoothly with the transition of management, they are also looking for volunteers of every sort to help run the store.

Any active-duty members, spouses and dependents 10-years-old and above are welcome to volunteer by contacting Jolene Raciborski at (719) 373-5212.

Active-duty Air Force volunteers are also eligible to receive free child care while volunteering, sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society.

"We have been looking for a way to give back to the base and community and are more than grateful to be able to take on this opportunity," Davis said. "Knowing we can make an impact on the families that come in lets us know it will be more than worth it."

The Airman's Attic is also now on Facebook and can be found under Fairchild Air Force Base Airman's Attic.

"The ESC should be commended for leading this transition," said Christopher Marble, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief. "Hopefully they will receive the support necessary from the community that will set them up for success."