ESG supports Vance Airman’s Attic

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Enlisted Spouses Group is known for providing support to base people and organizations in need, and now the group will provide support to Vance Airmen in need at the Airman's Attic. 

The group first sergeants and the Airman and Family Readiness Center did a terrific job putting together the facility, but they needed an organization to help them with the day-to-day operations, said Michelle Krumm, ESG president. 

"The first sergeants asked if the ESG would be interested in running the Airman's Attic," she said. "We realize this is a great program that will help a lot of people, and we thought it would be a great way to give back to the enlisted Airmen at Vance." 

The Airman's Attic is designed to help defray the cost of setting up a household by providing items without cost to eligible active-duty military members, said Master Sgt. Joe Lawley, 71st Operations Group first sergeant. 

"If we can take some of the financial worries from our Airmen, they can focus on the mission," he said. 

The new hours of operation are 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month. 

"The enlisted spouses have taken over a huge job," the first sergeant said. "The enlisted spouses were looking for more ways to help others on the base, and the Airman's Attic is a wonderful avenue for them. I thank them for stepping up to the task." 

Airmen E-5 and below can find such items as dishes, cookware, televisions, toys, furniture, canned food, military uniforms and more. 

People who are moving and need a place to donate their serviceable items can bring them to the Airman's Attic. Some of the items that are needed include washers/dryers, irons/ironing boards, plastic storage containers, microwaves, household furniture, bedspreads and baby items. 

"We also need field jackets or Gortex jackets due to uniform shortages," Sergeant Lawley said. "We also accept serviceable uniforms." 

The ESG takes great pride knowing it is helping Vance Airmen, Mrs. Krumm said. 

"I know that we are improving the lives of Airmen and their families," she said. "Our main goal is to provide support and encouragement for the enlisted families at Vance, and I believe we are going a long way in accomplishing that with our involvement in the Airman's Attic.