Edwards Civ-Mil gives Airman's Attic a new look

  • Published
  • By Diane Betzler
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Edwards' Civ-Mil Support Group takes on a mission each year to support projects that will help all active duty Airmen, but because of the high cost of this year's project, the group will have to fulfill its mission in two stages.

"We committed to raise enough money to carpet the Airman's Attic," said Danny Bazzell, vice president and director of Strategic Communications for the Edwards Air Force Base Civilian-Military Support Group.

Mr. Bazzell estimates the cost to carpet the Attic will run about $15,000, which is why the project will be completed in two stages.

"We've raised enough money so far to cover about half of the 6,000 square-foot space that is going to be carpeted and decided not to make the Attic wait until we raise the rest of the funds needed to complete the job," he said.

Several Civ-Mil members, along with Nicole Parker and Japhia Logan, the two women volunteers who run the Airman's Attic, joined forces with Col. Gregory J. Schwab, 95th Air Base Wing commander; Chief Master Sgt. Christopher S. McCollor, 412 Test Wing command chief; Chief Master Sgt. Bill Thomaston, 95th Air Base Wing command chief; Mr. Bazzell; Senior Master Sgt. David Vanvlack, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Det. 1; Master Sgt. David Holzer, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron; Bob Slade, past president and current director of Civ-Mil and his wife Michele, met at the Airman's Attic Oct. 13, where they rolled up their sleeves and began installing new carpet tiles.

"The mission of the Airman's Attic is to help the enlisted Airmen and their families who live on base. The Attic has everything from clothes, household appliances, furniture and toys, and everything there is free to the enlisted Airman." said Mrs. Parker.

"Just imagine being a young Airman with a wife and child on the way," said Mrs. Slade. She said the Airmen and their families appreciate everything the Attic has to offer.

"We always welcome donations to keep our inventory going and we're always looking for volunteers to help run the Attic," said Mrs. Parker, who has been managing the Attic for nearly three years.

"We need volunteers who have base access," added Ms. Logan.

"We're the one organization on base where volunteers can bring their children to work with them," Mrs. Parker said. She said volunteers won't have to worry about child care when volunteering their time at the Attic.

"Though they are responsible for watching their own children," Mr. Bazzell said.

The Airman's Attic is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

"We're not open on holidays Mrs. Parker said. She said the Attic follows the day school schedule.

Although Mr. Bazzell said the troubled state of the economy makes it more challenging to raise money these days, it's obvious the organization is not about to let that stop them from supporting Edwards' Airmen.

He said Civ-Mil expects to raise the remaining needed funds to purchase the rest of the carpet by next summer.

Sergeant Vanvlack, who represents the Top-3 enlisted ranks at Edwards, thanked Civ-Mil for their support and contributions to the Airman's Attic.

"The support you have given us from the barbecues and fundraisers and everything else that you've done to finance this project is amazing," Sergeant Vanvlack told the Civ-Mil group.
"We do this (offer an Airman's Attic) to support our Airmen and your support of our cause is heartfelt and means a lot to us," he said.

Chief McCollor, also a member of the Top-3, said he made it through the junior ranks and said it's now his turn to give back to his fellow enlisted military brothers and sisters.

"We support all enlisted military here at Edwards," he said, adding that there is also Army and Marine enlisted stationed at Edwards.

What drives the Civ-Mil group to support the country's military? "That's simple," Mr. Bazzell said.

"We're here to support our men and women who are out there protecting us."