Free clothes, household items available at the Airman's Attic

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Small, full of used household items and with the aroma of a thrift store, the Airman's Attic at Vance is a treasure trove for Airmen on a budget.

The Airman's Attic offers Airmen, ranks E-5 and below, a place to pick up household items and clothes for free. Donated uniforms are also available to military members of any rank.

Chelsey Gillespie, the Airman's Attic manager, and wife of Senior Airman Evan Gillespie with the 71st Communications Squadron, reopened the Airman's Attic after it was closed for nearly five months.

"I remember a woman who came in with her four kids," said Gillespie. "They basically had nothing but the clothes on their backs. There were complications getting their things here when they moved from their duty station overseas."

The family was able to pick up clothes, cooking utensils and other household goods while they waited for their belongings to arrive.

"The kids faces lit up when they started getting new clothes and things," said Gillespie. "It's a remarkable feeling being able to impact someone's life like that."

The Airman's Attic is volunteer-run and stocked from donations.

"I remember coming to the store when we got stationed here almost four years ago and picking up baby stuff," said Gillespie. "After it closed I decided it was a wasted resource and I thought 'I don't have anything else to do,' and took over. I really enjoy running it now."

The store is located between the Commissary and the Exchange and is open the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed on holidays.

Airmen unable to visit during those hours can contact their first sergeant for access.

"I'm always looking for volunteers to help hang clothes and put things on shelves," said Gillespie. "It's a child friendly place so parents can bring their kids if they want to volunteer."

The Attic accepts glassware, books, DVDs, baby items, clean and serviceable clothes and military uniforms. Donations are accepted during store hours.

Gillespie also keeps an "in search of list" for people looking for specific items. "If something shows up that someone is looking for I'll give them a call as soon as it comes in."