Airman’s Attic needs volunteers more than gear

  • Published
  • By Laisa Leao
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The back room of the Edwards Airman’s Attic is buried under a mountain of generosity. Yard-sized donation bags are stacked on top of each other, filled with clothes, toys and household goods. But past the overflowing drop-off zone and into the storefront, a different kind of shortage exists: a critical lack of volunteers.

The facility is temporarily halting physical donations. The decision is not due to a lack of appreciation for community contributions, but because the facility lacks the manpower to unpack and sort the items already received.

“Every item in the Attic shows the generosity of our community, ensuring that our Airmen and their families always have a place to get the essentials they need,” Nicole Stallsmith, Airman’s Attic manager, said.


Sanae Triplett, volunteer and spouse of a retired Air Force veteran, organizes donated clothing by age and gender at the Airman’s Attic, Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Aug. 19. Triplett volunteers at the facility three times a week after dropping her daughter off at Branch Elementary School on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Laisa Leao)


Lori Heary, volunteer and mother of an active-duty Airman, places donated clothing on hangers at the Airman’s Attic, Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Aug. 19. Whenever Heary travels from New York to visit her family stationed at Edwards AFB, she volunteers at the facility alongside her daughter-in-law. (U.S. Air Force photo by Laisa Leao)

Currently, a crew of just eight volunteers is responsible for sorting, cleaning, organizing and displaying every single item that comes through the door. It is a massive undertaking for such a small team. To support the Edwards Air Force Base community, the most valuable contribution residents can make is volunteering their time rather than donating more physical goods.

For those interested in lending a hand, the process is straightforward. Individuals looking to volunteer can join the official Airman’s Attic Facebook group, where they can check available shifts and sign up for a time slot that fits their schedule.

While the Edwards community is incredibly generous, volunteers face another hurdle in the form of unusable donations. Many dropped-off items never make it to the store shelves because they fall below acceptable conditions. To ensure donations benefit military families, clothing must be clean, gently used and free of stains or holes. Electronics must be fully functional with all cords included, and appliances must be in safe, working order with no missing parts. Board games and toys must also have all pieces intact.

Seasonal needs are also an important consideration. Because storage space is extremely limited, the staff cannot store out-of-season gear. These items end up being redirected to off-base charities or churches, creating extra sorting and transport work for an already strained volunteer crew. By donating high-quality, in-season items and offering a few hours of service, community members can help the Airman's Attic clear the backlog and reopen its doors to donations soon.


Vianka Heary, volunteer and spouse of an active-duty Airman, verifies the identification of Senior Airman Robert Roseberry, 412th Communications Squadron, before clearing him to shop at the Airman’s Attic, Edwards Air Force Base, California, on Aug. 19, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Laisa Leao)