Edwards, 412th TW show appreciation to its civilian workforce

  • Published
  • By Jet Fabara
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With the recent reduction in mandatory furlough days from 11 to 6, the 412th Test Wing, with the help of the 412th Force Support Squadron, is about to embark on an "Edwards Gives Back" initiative to show its federal civilian workforce how much they are appreciated after undergoing a period of federal furloughs.

That initiative will kick off Aug. 23 and will consist of providing all Edwards and Air Force Plant 42 federal civilian employees $8 certificates that they can redeem at participating locations.

"Our civilian employees have been faithful members of our team, have gone through three years of pay freezes and, just recently completed, six days of furlough, so the base wanted to show its appreciation for each employee's dedication and express that each employee is a valued member of the Air Force. With that said, we wanted to find a way in some form to give back to our civilian workforce," said Alexander Kovras, 412th FSS civilian leader.

The program will allow applicable personnel to use these certificates at a variety of on-base locations, which includes the Muroc Lake Golf Course, the Sandbagger Grill, Club Muroc, Outdoor Recreation, and High Desert Lanes (excluding the Strike Zone snack bar).

"While the program will be initiated and executed through the FSS, what we're doing this week is working with the Edwards Civilian Personnel Office to find out how many civilian employees every squadron or unit has," Kovras said. "From there, we will contact each squadron's point of contact and have them go to civilian personnel in order to pick up these $8 certificates for their federal civilian personnel."

Kovras further emphasized that the certificates were provided by the Civilian Welfare Fund and acquired through non-appropriated funds and not through taxpayer money.

"To be more specific, we garner this money through the profits that we make through each FSS enterprise. The money we charge at the golf course for green fees, at the bowling center, at Outdoor Recreation, or the Club; these are called non-appropriated funds," added Kovras. "This is just one way to thank all of our civilian employees who are faithful, who come to work every day, who work extremely hard and help make this base run the way it does."

Upon distribution, the certificates will not have a cash value, cannot be used for alcohol and will expire Sept. 30.