Airman’s Attic gives back to Icemen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jim Araos
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Whether a military family is starting out at a new base or just looking for a few household goods, Eielson Airman's Attic is willing to help.

The Airman's Attic is devoted to a tradition of giving back to the community by supplying free items to improve the quality of life of Icemen and their families.

"The Airman's Attic is a place where the military community can come by and receive free items that they need for their home," said Senior Master Sgt. Janet Woodard, 354th Medical Support Squadron superintendent and Airman's Attic manager. "Anyone with a valid military identification card can utilize our services."

All items are free and made possible through big-hearted donations, such as clothing, furniture, toys and appliances, from fellow Icemen and their families.

"We want to ensure families accept quality items when they visit and don't want them receiving unsanitary items such as under garments, used mattresses and broken appliances," said Woodard.

As a completely volunteer service, the Airman's Attic is run by military members and dependents. Various squadrons on base volunteer on a rotational bases to consistently man Airman's Attic services.

"Our Icemen are definitely very generous," said Woodard. "We're solely a volunteer service and take all volunteers who are willing."

The volunteers contribute their hours toward quality control, manning customer the service areas, retrieving items from the loading dock and sorting items on shelves. They ensure that each item received is clean and functional before stocking them.

"We usually get an average of 30 customers a day," said Staff Sgt. Justin Cordero, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron water plant operator NCO in charge and Airman's Attic volunteer. "Customers usually enjoy coming in to browse and pick up clothing and various household trinkets."

The Airman's Attic receives the bulk of its items during the summertime. Families drop off the most items during this time frame due to the high permanent change of duty station season and spring cleaning.

The Airman's Attic is located at 2264 East Loop. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for E-6 and below, and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month for all ranks.

For more information, or if you'd like to volunteer at the Airman's Attic, call 377-4390.